Thing is I dont think any deal will come soon considering we play the Flyers tomorrow.

You have Timmonen, Mezaros and Gill that are going to be retiring/moving on next year. Pronger is an unknown if he will play again.

Philly should focus on adding younger defense to that aging group, IMO. That is why I said it was short sighted. This year seems to be shot. Dont try the quick fix this year, build for the future.
- ImThatGuy

Well Said!!!

This has been an issue with the goaltending most of the year. It's a total garbage fire back there so the +/- on goals is in the tank because of that one position for a lot of players. If that eases your mind a bit.
- Matt_Henderson

Yeah, but he's had a couple games where he was on for 3 and 4 goals against. That's not the whole team, that's one line. I saw two games where you gave up 4 goals and he was on the ice for all of them.

We'd be a .500 hockey team with average goaltending and a winning team with good goaltending.

Couterier and Coburn could address it but I'm not so sure - I think the Oiler brass would have to see additional value with them over Eberle.

Overall, it's a still a young, maturing, defensively unsound team that may benefit in the long run but I firmly believe this team needs a goalie.
- Salvo

YES, in years when the Oilers have had any measure of success it has been on the back of a goalie who could carry the team and steal a few wins. Remember Cujo, and Tommy Salo years? The Oilers were not that good but these elite 'tenders allowed them to compete every night and that inspires confidence in the rest of the club. The Oilers have not had a goalie like that since Roli and go figure, he took them to the cup final.

Overpay by trade if you wanna make a real turnaround this year before losing anymore of the kids to complacency or overpay in the summer and hope for the best, either way, reality says we will have to overpay. Accept it and make it happen.

Please, Mr. MacT, hang up the phone with Homer. I'll put in a call to Army on my BatPhone and get him to send you Stewart + Elliott for Eberle if he's really available. I might even be able to get him to throw in a 3rd if he's feeling saucy today.

The Blues get more skill up front (which they need) and the Oilers get more size up front and a goalie not made out of swiss cheese (both of which they need badly). The cap hits even balance to within $50k. This screams DEEEEEEAAAALLLLL!!!!!


- bluenatic411

No thanks. Elliot would be torn apart in the Edmonton and Stewart hasn't really impressed so far.

based on what stats??? he had a good rookie campaign and we dont know how he finishes the year... Eberle is proven... until some other proves otherwise it remains to be seen
- saskoil21

Eberle has had one 20+ goal season, yes I know last year pro-rated he would have had another one. RNH has one less point that Eberle this year and he's better defensively IMO. I believe Ryan is the best player on the Oilers, don't get me wrong, Eberle is tremendously skilled, but he's a soft small player which Edmonton has plenty of.

Hall has better stats than Eberle though.
- Jack-artist

1) Hall cant play a full season... and
2)last year Eberle played the whole half season with a hand injury for (frank) sakes and still finished what 3rd in scoring
3) When hall pots 70 or more pts a season come talk to me

While we've got some Flyers fans around, I'd like to get your opinions on a trade I've been selfishly throwing around everywhere.

Eberle and Smid for Coburn, Simmonds, McGinn, and a 2nd

Thoughts? Additions and/or subtractions from either side?
- MaximumBone

I don't know if I'd do it, only because I'm not interested in Smid, and the Flyers should not be dealing 1sr or 2nd round picks. Trying to take the glasses off here. What about Eberle and Klefbom for Coburn, Simmonds, and McGinn, no picks?

Streit's actually been making some fine outlet passes. He's done exactly what's been advertised: good offensive defenseman with some serious defensive issues.
- jmatchett383

0 goals 4 assist and a -9 not much for a 5mil dollar man

With Hartnell and Simmonds you need more size up front???
- saskoil21

Simmonds actually is not very big. He's only like 185 lbs. He plays a tough game, but he's not a big guy, just lanky.

I'm on to the idea of us trading the 1st and getting a first back in the deal.

It allows us to use what could be a top 10 pick as currency while at least recouping a 20th-30th pick.

E.G.

EDM 1st + ?????? <--> Other teams 1st + Dman/Goalie

Eberle has had one 20+ goal season, yes I know last year pro-rated he would have had another one. RNH has one less point that Eberle this year and he's better defensively IMO. I believe Ryan is the best player on the Oilers, don't get me wrong, Eberle is tremendously skilled, but he's a soft small player which Edmonton has plenty of.
- LeftCoaster

One 30+ goal season and he's only as "soft" as the Sedins are. When he gets hit, he just pops right back up.

This has been an issue with the goaltending most of the year. It's a total garbage fire back there so the +/- on goals is in the tank because of that one position for a lot of players. If that eases your mind a bit.
- Matt_Henderson

And Eberle on this poop team and goaltending is only -3

Thing is I dont think any deal will come soon considering we play the Flyers tomorrow.
- Jack-artist

That's the BEST reason to do it. Someone just gets traded and scores against their old team, then they pull a Joe Thornton and stroke it while pointing up at their old GM.

0 goals 4 assist and a -9 not much for a 5mil dollar man
- mace14

Find me a defenseman not named Coburn who has had a good season.
Also, stats aside, just watching him, he makes smart decisions with the puck. The team hired him as a puck mover, and he's been that. The forwards just can't get much done with it.

One 30+ goal season and he's only as "soft" as the Sedins are. When he gets hit, he just pops right back up.
- MaximumBone

30 is a 20+ goal season. Fact is he's scored more than 20 only once in his career. Yes the Sedins are soft skilled players, but the team around them isn't, therein lies the issue with Edmonton.

I don't know if I'd do it, only because I'm not interested in Smid, and the Flyers should not be dealing 1sr or 2nd round picks. Trying to take the glasses off here. What about Eberle and Klefbom for Coburn, Simmonds, and McGinn, no picks?
- jmatchett383

As much as it'd kill me to trade Klefbom, I'd consider that. To make the cap work, you've gotta be taking N Schultz (3.5 mill, UFA this offseason) in that deal then. The Oilers could likely withhold some cap of Schultz's. And then maybe you guys add a 3rd or a 4th. That still sound reasonable?

Find me a defenseman not named Coburn who has had a good season.
Also, stats aside, just watching him, he makes smart decisions with the puck. The team hired him as a puck mover, and he's been that. The forwards just can't get much done with it.
- jmatchett383

I agree. Streit hasn't looked overly terrible back there. I feel the Flyers aren't using him right on the PP either... In Montreal and NYI, he was able to blast shots away from the point and create offense. Meanwhile, here in Philly it just seems he gets a touch and that's it, no shooting either.

30 is a 20+ goal season. Fact is he's scored more than 20 only once in his career. Yes the Sedins are soft skilled players, but the team around them isn't, therein lies the issue with Edmonton.
- LeftCoaster

I was merely arguing your specific word choices 20+ sounds worse than 30+ and soft isn't what I'd call him. Lacking grit? Perhaps, but not soft.

Agreed!
- whipper334

And this is why I like you on a semi-occasional occurrence.

Please please- dont let Eberle go... Eberle is MONEY FFS They just dont get much more clutch than that...
- saskoil21

because of the world junior goal? because he has never played a meaningful game in the NHL

30 is a 20+ goal season. Fact is he's scored more than 20 only once in his career. Yes the Sedins are soft skilled players, but the team around them isn't, therein lies the issue with Edmonton.
- LeftCoaster

Ur team obviously did not trade the Sedins but we should trade Eberle?? Eberle is easily on pace to have a better career than the Sedins and yet we should trade him... I just dont agree... Had Dubnyk and Labarbara not been (frank) ups we would not even be debating this crap...

I was merely arguing your specific word choices 20+ sounds worse than 30+ and soft isn't what I'd call him. Lacking grit? Perhaps, but not soft.
- MaximumBone

Semantics

because of the world junior goal? because he has never played a meaningful game in the NHL
- flashfire

I see the stupids are out in full force now

Good, because there's no chance in hell of you getting him for Eberle.
- Blackacre

Likely it will be Simmonds + Cobourn + something else for Eberle, EDM has Hopkins and Gagner at C, unless Gagner is also part of the package and either the Schenn's or Coutourier is going to EDM. I highly doubt Giroux is being traded...