Too young for a final judgement ... but I there is ample cause for concern.

He looks a lot closer to Filatov than Ovechkin at the moment.
- Aetherial

Seems like at some point the Yakupov vs Eakins issue is going to come to a boiling point.

I seriously hope nobody ever compared him to OV.

please never mention Filatov to me with regards to him again. I'm pretty numb to the losing at this point but that would really suck ass if we drafted the next Stefan.
- TheTaoOfSemenko

yeah, I can imagine that that idea isn't too pleasant.

I don't know if anyone mentioned him as an Ovechkin comparable.

I do know that the hype on the kid was as overblown as the criticism is now.

Seems like at some point the Yakupov vs Eakins issue is going to come to a boiling point.
- systemtool

This is probably already an issue.

With this Oilers team, they would not be wise to let Eakins lose that one. It doesn't matter if Eakins is the coach of their future or not, you just can't send this team the message that the inmates run the asylum.

I guess the idea of taking back salary didn't loosen anything up on the trade front.

It is starting to become annoying, NOBODY wants to make a mistake. It is like fear is basically killing the trade market. It's pretty boring to be honest.

I bet MacT would LOVE to move Yakupov, the problem is he won't get anywhere near his potential in return. He might also move Eberle, but I am not even sure how good the offers of Dmen are... I doubt anyone offers him a bona fide #1 or #2 Dmen. Thet are just too rare.
- Aetherial

Then package Ebs with our 2014 1st and another decent prospect and see what can be done. Up the price if we have to.

Oilers fans, absolutely have to accept that to bring in the defensive help we need, we WILL overpay. There's no two ways about it. Sometimes you lose a trade to get better.

Seems like at some point the Yakupov vs Eakins issue is going to come to a boiling point.
- systemtool

I wonder....Yak looked a lot better under Krueger. our entire team did. Yeah blah blah 5 on 5 play has improved...and our special teams have tanked and our defence looks twice as bad as last year, amazing as that seems.

Then package Ebs with our 2014 1st and another decent prospect and see what can be done. Up the price if we have to.

Oilers fans, absolutely have to accept that to bring in the defensive help we need, we WILL overpay. There's no two ways about it. Sometimes you lose a trade to get better.
- TheTaoOfSemenko

The thing is, you would have to make a couple of trades. You guys still need a goalie, Bryz and Scrivens arent the answer, plus 2 dmen. Trust me, unless you guys get Chara or Lidstrom, your D will still stink if the whole team is relying on 1 guy to solve the teams D issues.

It's going to have to be a collective solution more than anything, and thats a high price to trade away for one guy who may not solve anything.

The thing is, you would have to make a couple of trades. You guys still need a goalie, Bryz and Scrivens arent the answer, plus 2 dmen. Trust me, unless you guys get Chara or Lidstrom, your D will still stink if the whole team is relying on 1 guy to solve the teams D issues.

It's going to have to be a collective solution more than anything, and thats a high price to trade away for one guy who may not solve anything.
- systemtool

If we could get even a couple solid guys that can log 22-25 effective minutes a night, it would change the whole defensive landscape. I didn't say we need a superstar dman, we just need guys that can make all the other dmen play the minutes they should be playing and put the AHL guys...well, in the AHL.

Like I said, Mactavish really has his work cut out for him.

If we could get even a couple solid guys that can log 22-25 effective minutes a night, it would change the whole defensive landscape. I didn't say we need a superstar dman, we just need guys that can make all the other dmen play the minutes they should be playing and put the AHL guys...well, in the AHL.

Like I said, Mactavish really has his work cut out for him.
- TheTaoOfSemenko

Yup, time to make some bold moves and stop this puppy making tweak nonsense.

Yup, time to make some bold moves and stop this puppy making tweak nonsense.
- systemtool

I really believe he wants to, but other GMs are trying to rob him right now. I respect him for not making a really bad trade just for the sake of it, but if Burke could figure out a way to get Phaneuf for parts then surely Mactavish can figure out how to bring in better dmen than Belov, Nultz and -insert AHL dmens name here-.

I really believe he wants to, but other GMs are trying to rob him right now. I respect him for not making a really bad trade just for the sake of it, but if Burke could figure out a way to get Phaneuf for parts then surely Mactavish can figure out how to bring in better dmen than Belov, Nultz and -insert AHL dmens name here-.
- TheTaoOfSemenko

I guess we just need to wait for a top dman to bang a team mates wife so they'll dump him...

I guess we just need to wait for a top dman to bang a team mates wife so they'll dump him...
- Iggysbff

Ugg the Cavemen wanted out before that happened, and it had no bearing on what Sutter accepted in return. Good GMs find those angles to acquire great players. Burke did it twice in bringing back top pairing dmen to his respective teams.

I really believe he wants to, but other GMs are trying to rob him right now. I respect him for not making a really bad trade just for the sake of it, but if Burke could figure out a way to get Phaneuf for parts then surely Mactavish can figure out how to bring in better dmen than Belov, Nultz and -insert AHL dmens name here-.
- TheTaoOfSemenko

Burke would be perfect you guys. His trades are solid for the most part, while his signings aren't so great.

What a ridiculous game... and a ridiculous celebration by PK...
- SofaKingBored

Thats a bit much for a goal that should have been stopped...showing off his crest to the sens fans was also pretty classless. Lets not forget this guy is the most hated player in the league

What is good people

What is good people
- Mapleleafs_91

Games where western Canadian teams are not playing.

Games where western Canadian teams are not playing.
- TheTaoOfSemenko

Nucks....

Games where western Canadian teams are not playing.
- TheTaoOfSemenko

LOGIC

Here's a concept. Once Bolland returns, why not place Kadri on the wing with Lupul and Holland?
Maybe center isn't his calling.... yet. Sundin started on the wing, even in Toronto.

I have this gut feeling that ROR deal is already done though. Just waiting till his one year trade freeze is up.

Gardiner + Kadri

for

O'Reilly + sarich + pick

I would do;

Franson + Kadri

for

O'Reilly + sarich

thoughts?

Here's a concept. Once Bolland returns, why not place Kadri on the wing with Lupul and Holland?
Maybe center isn't his calling.... yet. Sundin started on the wing, even in Toronto.

I have this gut feeling that ROR deal is already done though. Just waiting till his one year trade freeze is up.

Gardiner + Kadri

for

O'Reilly + sarich + pick

I would do;

Franson + Kadri

for

O'Reilly + sarich

thoughts?
- StanleyCupDreams

How is it done if the avs stated they wanted to resign him? Listening to Ek doesnt always work

Seems like at some point the Yakupov vs Eakins issue is going to come to a boiling point.
- systemtool

It would be interesting to see him go to the caps to play with Ovie

Spatso having a Karlcum in Yost blog...U need rain gear on to read the post

Dan Girardi of the New York Rangers. However, at this point the Rangers are telling teams that they're not moving him, are focused on signing him and are confident at this point that those negotiations will possibly lead to a new deal.

RIP Girardi rumors

- Conquest

Holy poop Im in the biggest hockey pool ever, any one want to give some input

my buddy does this poop

in a pool where goals are worth 2, assists worth 1 , goalie wins 1 - shut outs 5 whos your team, if anyone gives me good picks Ill send ya money ^ thats not the pool its a 50 man 50 bucks thing i was just showing ya how crazy these (frank)s are and 2 bucks on a ticket like that I d do all day

Olympic Pool

Edit that was the good ticket his 2 buck ticket was huge 1.3 mill