He generally gets at least one excellent offensive chance per game but too often will pass it up to try to make a pass through two defenders. That combined with the ugly, mistimed turnovers. He has size, speed and skill but just hasn't put it together on a consistent basis.
- gkmkiller

That becomes frustrating to watch after a while.

I actually agree with you. Its the salary that makes it not ok for me. Pure play on ice of course Doughty > Mac. Simply because he has a huge offensive element to his game that Mac doesn't have. But I'm hesitant to spend $3M extra for "upgrade". Think the money is best used elsewhere as a $6M Forward is muuuuch > $3M Forward more so that Doughty is > Mac. Hope my explanation makes sense.
- mrhattrick27

I think Mcdonagh is better defensively. Doughty can still lack concentration and be pushed around physically.

I think Mcdonagh is better defensively. Doughty can still lack concentration and be pushed around physically.
- tomburton99

Agreed there as well.

Dunno is that that much better than

kreider-stepan-zucc
hagelin-richards-Nash
pouliot-brassard-cally
boyle-moore-dorsett

Honestly I like us the way we are now.... and this is how I would set the lines up after Nash's return. Hags giving Nash time and space with his speed. Then you have Cally as a great third liner, with him there you can just roll three lines without giving up offense.

I guess I just wouldn't be too upset if we don't trade for Yakupov, at least at this point
- tbreinold

IMO the way they are playing right now they are really good but i expect yak to become a much better player than zucc( although he proved he's top six worthy)
yakupov is a first line franchise talent and when you're able to get those you should always try

the only Dmen i pick over mcdonagh are named suter and karlsson. i pick mcdonagh over subban, doughty, and even weber.
- rangerdanger94

I actually agree with you. Its the salary that makes it not ok for me. Pure play on ice of course Doughty > Mac. Simply because he has a huge offensive element to his game that Mac doesn't have. But I'm hesitant to spend $3M extra for that "upgrade". Think the money is best used elsewhere as a $6M Forward is muuuuch > $3M Forward more so than Doughty is > Mac. Hope my explanation makes sense.
- mrhattrick27

Of course it makes sense.

IMO the way they are playing right now they are really good but i expect yak to become a much better player than zucc( although he proved he's top six worthy)
yakupov is a first line franchise talent and when you're able to get those you should always try
- webleedblue

No way the Oilers trade Yakupov for less than young 3 assets to get him. Larionov and Yakupov can say how bad they want out of Edmonton, but Mactavish has a job to do. Probably any combonation of MDZ, Moore Hagelin, Kreider, Miller and 1st round pick.

No way the Oilers trade Yakupov for less than young 3 assets to get him. Larionov and Yakupov can say how bad they want out of Edmonton, but Mactavish has a job to do. Probably any combonation of MDZ, Moore Hagelin, Kreider, Miller and 1st round pick.
- tomburton99

Pretty sure Yakupov hasn't said anything really? I'm no so sure they would object to trading for some veteran help at this point?

Pretty sure Yakupov hasn't said anything really? I'm no so sure they would object to trading for some veteran help at this point?
- Cptmjl

His mouth piece, err, agent has. I doubt Larionov went out on a limb by himself, saying Yakupov wants out. Mactavish won't trade him for just veteran defensive help. He can overspend on one when July 1st comes around.

His mouth piece, err, agent has. I doubt Larionov went out on a limb by himself, saying Yakupov wants out. Mactavish won't trade him for just veteran defensive help. He can overspend on one when July 1st comes around.
- tomburton99

You're probably right as far as Larionov and Yak goes. I'm not saying he would trade him for just veteran help but he certainly wouldn't be opposed to a real veteran top 2/3 and a real top 6 I wouldn't think that being young is that important. I'm not talking ryder old but I don't think he'd mind having more of a veteran presence?

IMO the way they are playing right now they are really good but i expect yak to become a much better player than zucc( although he proved he's top six worthy)
yakupov is a first line franchise talent and when you're able to get those you should always try
- webleedblue

As high a talent ceiling, as Yakupov has, it would be dismissive to blatantly disregard Zuccarello; in this proposed scenario.

He has been just as vital, as Kreider and and Hagelin, in this revitalized offensive attack, as of late.

You're probably right as far as Larionov and Yak goes. I'm not saying he would trade him for just veteran help but he certainly wouldn't be opposed to a real veteran top 2/3 and a real top 6 I wouldn't think that being young is that important. I'm not talking ryder old but I don't think he'd mind having more of a veteran presence?
- Cptmjl

If Yakupov gets dealt it will likely be for players that are 25 years old or younger.

No way the 2012 first overall pick goes for good but aging veterans. The Oilers are not a veteran player or two away from seriously competing for the cup. Youth or younger experienced NHL players are the likely ransom for Yakupov.

If Yakupov gets dealt it will likely be for players that are 25 years old or younger.

No way the 2012 first overall pick goes for good but aging veterans. The Oilers are not a veteran player or two away from seriously competing for the cup. Youth or younger experienced NHL players are the likely ransom for Yakupov.
- MidnightMarauder

So Jagr for Yak wont work?

So Jagr for Yak wont work?
- mighty13duck

Close but ultimately I don't see it happening.

So Jagr for Yak wont work?
- mighty13duck

They may need to throw in Clowe.

They may need to throw in Clowe.
- Pete V

I got a real kick out of the Devils fans rationalizing that signing over the summer, hahaha.

They may need to throw in Clowe.
- Pete V

Well then Edmonton needs to throw in a pick. Clowe is signed for a long time and Yak will be an RFA soon. Maybe Clowe for Yak straight up.

I got a real kick out of the Devils fans rationalizing that signing over the summer, hahaha.
- MidnightMarauder

You look at the devils roster and its honestly atrocious but yet they are ahead of the Iles in the standings.

You look at the devils roster and its honestly atrocious but yet they are ahead of the Iles in the standings.
- mighty13duck

Devils play a system though; have to hand it to them.

On paper, I agree with you, they are a lottery team with the exception of the tandem in net.

Brodeur and Schneider are both above average goalies; Schneider can actually be an elite goalie. Obviously Brodeur is one of the best of all-time but at age 42 or whatever, he is still playing at a fairly high level.

You look at the devils roster and its honestly atrocious but yet they are ahead of the Iles in the standings.
- mighty13duck

When Kovalchuk left, they tried to fill the void with a bunch of serviceable veterans, including Jagr, Clowe, Brunner, et. The roster is by no means a roster that I would expect to make the playoffs, but at the same time, it's actually not as bad as it could have been after Kovalchuk jumped ship.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying its good, but I think it is better than "atrocious."

Gotta say, its Rangers Devils & where has WayneZ been? I don't think he has been around at all this season? Real ball buster but not a better guy than him around here. Very much missed.

When Kovalchuk left, they tried to fill the void with a bunch of serviceable veterans, including Jagr, Clowe, Brunner, et. The roster is by no means a roster that I would expect to make the playoffs, but at the same time, it's actually not as bad as it could have been after Kovalchuk jumped ship.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying its good, but I think it is better than "atrocious."
- Pete V

Their d is pretty decent but the offense is bad. Clowe is not serviceable and Jagr is 40 something. It will be interesting to see what they do next year with many guys retiring. I could see them going after Moulson but if Vanek leaves I wouldn't be overly shocked to see Snow try to sign him a little cheaper for 3-4 years.

Gotta say, its Rangers Devils & where has WayneZ been? I don't think he has been around at all this season? Real ball buster but not a better guy than him around here. Very much missed.
- B2B76

Does Sam Woo still blog?

Gotta say, its Rangers Devils & where has WayneZ been? I don't think he has been around at all this season? Real ball buster but not a better guy than him around here. Very much missed.
- B2B76

He's only around while the team is playing well. Self explanatory.

Does Sam Woo still blog?
- mighty13duck

he tweets:

Sam Woo ‏@OnlySamWoo 18 Oct
If the @NHLDevils don't win tomorrow, forget the goal song petition. Petition that we want our draft pick back! #NHL