LOL... Huh?
- OilDerek

This was my thought exactly.

Yes, kassian is an established superstar that shouldnt be answering for his actions to players less skilled than him

It is many people's conventional wisdom that a poor team's best chance to rebuild is to become as poor a team as possible and try to build through top draft picks. This is the path the Edmonton Oilers have followed. They have picked first overall in the NHL draft three years in a row netting them Taylor Hall, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Nail Yakupov. They have picked up other young talented players in Jordan Eberle, Justin Schultz and Sam Gagner. This rebuild has netted them a team in last place in the West Conference. In fact, that same conventional wisdom that lead to the first rebuild would suggest now is the time to trash the team again and rebuild in exactly the same way that has failed them so far.

While it is true that none of the young players the Edmonton Oilers have picked up are on Hall of Fame tracks. They haven't "hit a home run" with any of their first overall picks - at least not yet. It is still quite possible that one or more of them does project to a Hall of Famer in the future. It is also clear that this route to building a winning team has no guarantees. In fact it appears to be no better than any other method - and possible worse than them.

What is the way to build a winning team today? The top teams today have had to acquire their core at early ages in their career. Most often this occurs through the draft, although good players can come from anywhere. For example, first place Anaheim's top goalie Jonas Hiller was a free agent signee from Europe. There is no excuse to give away talent. There is no excuse to stop looking and tank a team. You need a scouting staff that is good enough to find these players. That is the problem in Edmonton. There isn't any player currently on their roster who makes a significant contribution to their core who was drafted in a later round in the draft. Had Edmonton been able to find players like Brandon Saad and Corey Crawford in Chicago or TJ Oshie in St Louis or countless other players on top teams.

The secret to rebuilding a team is not to tank the team and get top draft picks. It is to rebuild your scouting system and continue to find core players both with your early draft picks and also by finding players elsewhere (such as later in the draft, undrafted free agents etc.). The Edmonton Oiler method of rebuilding their team hasn't worked. They may have been a better team before the process began than they are now six or seven or possibly even eight years into the process.
- Jurco_28

Just no

Part of our problem is the hiring of a rookie at BOTH the GM & Head Coach positions at a critical time in the rebuild. Both have made mistakes, as must be expected from rookies, so we've taken a step back. Who hired MacT? Lowe. He's hired/fired other GMs. He's put together the scouting staffs, overseen the drafts, etc. This is KEVIN'S Team, not MacT's.
But Katz says no, this is MacT's team; ridiculous. MacT had nothing to do with the planning for this team.
Why hasn't Lowe obtained some fast, sizeable players capable of keeping the pace and supporting the smaller, talented top drafted forwards? Why hasn't Lowe signed a top level goalie? The upper management were convinced Dubs was that NHL Starter--mis-calculation of talent, and on it goes.
The sooner there's a clean sweep of management, replaced with experienced Coaches, a GM and Pres. of Hockey Ops., the better off we'll be IMO.
- haymac

You sir are the smartest Oil fan I have seen on here. I'm not being sarcastic. You're bang on.

Well said.

Not sure how some fans haven't figured this out... But it starts at the top.

Your drafting in 2nd rounds and later has been horrid. Terrible talent evaluation. Even worse asset management, followed by awful decision making. You need an entire new regime in their.

You sir are the smartest Oil fan I have seen on here. I'm not being sarcastic. You're bang on.

Well said.

Not sure how some fans haven't figured this out... But it starts at the top.

Your drafting in 2nd rounds and later has been horrid. Terrible talent evaluation. Even worse asset management, followed by awful decision making. You need an entire new regime in their.
- BodyCheckRadio

wouldn't say horrid. wouldn't say great.

Marco roy was impressive in the pre season and rookie camps. Saying this as someone who hated the pick and wanted Carrier or Comrie.

Musil sucks. Could be a #6 Dman. Maybe

Moroz was because of Katz obsession with the oil kings. Still has a small chance at being a 3rd/4th line PF. Bad pick though

Pitlick could be on EDM's 3rd line tomorrow. Marincin has been surprisingly really good. Curtis Hamilton can't stay healthy long enough to judge how good he is.

Lander's still trying to find his way, but not out of the realm of possibility that he could still be a good 3rd/4th liner

Their previous 2nd rounder was Petry who turned out quite well.

You sir are the smartest Oil fan I have seen on here. I'm not being sarcastic. You're bang on.

Well said.

Not sure how some fans haven't figured this out... But it starts at the top.

Your drafting in 2nd rounds and later has been horrid. Terrible talent evaluation. Even worse asset management, followed by awful decision making. You need an entire new regime in their.
- BodyCheckRadio

as for later I don't think they've been bad compared to other teams

Greg Chase is a promising prospect. 7th rounder that looks like he should have gone top 90 now.

Yakimov's been impressive and'll likely be with OKC next season. Slepyshev has a lot of risk to him but we saw how skilled he is at the last 2 WJs

Khaira's another impressive power forward. John McCarron has been a PPG in college (6'2 225)

Gernat was a great pick in 2011. 13P in 29GP for the D in his first professional season. I think all but 1 or 2 at even strength.

PHX fans can tell you how well Rieder's doing. EDM dealt him for sh*t, but they still drafted a talent.

Dillon Simpson is in the voting for the hobey baker award.

As for 2010, their best late round pick was Pelss who passed away

as for later I don't think they've been bad compared to other teams

Greg Chase is a promising prospect. 7th rounder that looks like he should have gone top 90 now.

Yakimov's been impressive and'll likely be with OKC next season. Slepyshev has a lot of risk to him but we saw how skilled he is at the last 2 WJs

Khaira's another impressive power forward. John McCarron has been a PPG in college (6'2 225)

Gernat was a great pick in 2011. 13P in 29GP for the D in his first professional season. I think all but 1 or 2 at even strength.

PHX fans can tell you how well Rieder's doing. EDM dealt him for sh*t, but they still drafted a talent.

Dillon Simpson is in the voting for the hobey baker award.

As for 2010, their best late round pick was Pelss who passed away
- TheNugeIsHuge

Jason Gregor ‏@JasonGregor 1h

#Oilers drafted @GregChase9 in 7th round, 188th, last year. He has 50 pts in 45 games this year, 14th most of all #2013 draft picks.

Maybe removing Lowe from the organisation is the answer??


No??
- Fruitcakenipple

All I'm saying is that he's been mostly responsible for the mess the Team is in and keeping him there is certainly not the answer. The best expectation of future behaviour is past behaviour. If Lowe stays, expect the inept management to continue. So, he's had more chances than he should, but it's time to leave.

Where does it make sense that 2 nd liners fight 4 th liners.

If Kassian is going to fight Gadzook then Hall fights Sestito?
- VANTEL

Wait... Are you comparing Kassian to Hall...? That's like a comment I read elsewhere, when a leafs fan said "Taylor Hall is a poor mans Kadri". Hall has been the only good part of this hockey team. He's on a point per game pace and plays well more often then not. It's hard to have good possession numbers on the oilers no matter how good you are.

You sir are the smartest Oil fan I have seen on here. I'm not being sarcastic. You're bang on.

Well said.

Not sure how some fans haven't figured this out... But it starts at the top.

Your drafting in 2nd rounds and later has been horrid. Terrible talent evaluation. Even worse asset management, followed by awful decision making. You need an entire new regime in their.
- BodyCheckRadio

Well, thanks. I'm just a long-time fan of the Oilers, suffering like everyone else. I agree with your observation on our draft picks. When was the last time the Oilers had a drafted player beyond the first round who had a meaningful career in the Bigs?

Wait... Are you comparing Kassian to Hall...? That's like a comment I read elsewhere, when a leafs fan said "Taylor Hall is a poor mans Kadri". Hall has been the only good part of this hockey team. He's on a point per game pace and plays well more often then not. It's hard to have good possession numbers on the oilers no matter how good you are.
- Hallsybaby4

I think you are putting words in my mouth. I said if you expect a top 6 player on out team to fight a 4 th liner then be prepared to do the same

I think you are putting words in my mouth. I said if you expect a top 6 player on out team to fight a 4 th liner then be prepared to do the same
- VANTEL

I think you're putting words in everyone's mouth calling Kassian top 6.

#FreeBryz

You Heff to trade him at the first offer.

He is going to Gerber you out of the top 2 draft position.

#FreeBryz

You Heff to trade him at the first offer.

He is going to Gerber you out of the top 2 draft position.
- Byfuglien Ate Me

wow. what a dumbass


he thinks edm won't get a top 2 pick

* Lets rip the loudest, longest ,wettest fart all over this thread.

wow. what a dumbass


he thinks edm won't get a top 2 pick
- TheNugeIsHuge

I think you are putting words in my mouth. I said if you expect a top 6 player on out team to fight a 4 th liner then be prepared to do the same
- VANTEL

Make it Perron then

wow. what a dumbass


he thinks edm won't get a top 2 pick
- TheNugeIsHuge

So the team is worse than Cal, Buf, Fla on paper ???

So the team is worse than Cal, Buf, Fla on paper ???

- Byfuglien Ate Me

No, they are worse in real life.

as for later I don't think they've been bad compared to other teams

Greg Chase is a promising prospect. 7th rounder that looks like he should have gone top 90 now.

Yakimov's been impressive and'll likely be with OKC next season. Slepyshev has a lot of risk to him but we saw how skilled he is at the last 2 WJs

Khaira's another impressive power forward. John McCarron has been a PPG in college (6'2 225)

Gernat was a great pick in 2011. 13P in 29GP for the D in his first professional season. I think all but 1 or 2 at even strength.

I agree. There are plenty of prospects drafted since 2010 outside the 1st round that have promise.

PHX fans can tell you how well Rieder's doing. EDM dealt him for sh*t, but they still drafted a talent.

Dillon Simpson is in the voting for the hobey baker award.

As for 2010, their best late round pick was Pelss who passed away
- TheNugeIsHuge

No, they are worse in real life.
- Jeropotato

Potato, I respect you're opinion, but the Oil should be winning more than those teams. IMO.

Ryan Garner: Katz Boss: The Lowe Fiasco and Kassian Connection
- Ryan Garner

Kassian impacted Sam Gagner and the Oilers depth in 2013-2014.
Lowe has impacted the Oilers regular season futility for 8 years.

I think your mystery man is pretty obvious.

I think you're putting words in everyone's mouth calling Kassian top 6.
- Hallsybaby4

Would you take him on your team?

Potato, I respect you're opinion, but the Oil should be winning more than those teams. IMO.
- Byfuglien Ate Me

I guess a mediocre defense and sh!t offense trumps a sh!t defense and good offense these days.

Would you take him on your team?
- VANTEL

Kassian is an annoying wiener, bumhole. (wow. this child safety corrects to such weird words)

But I'd absolutely have him on my 3rd line

Would you take him on your team?
- VANTEL

Yes. But not ideally in our top 6. Not saying he wouldn't be there, but it's the Oilers, we have Ferrence on our top defensive pairing.

There are probably 60 players I would rather have to add size to our top 6.