your stretching with the luck thing
- AlEx_OiL

I don't think I am, at all. Even if it isn't luck, the winning % is not sustainable when getting out shot. I only give Ralphie credit for running an excellent PP. That can still be fixed, but Eakins might need to hire a specialist.

Obviously I would move Hall well before he demanded a trade.
- Jeropotato

I think the fan base would give up on EDM if that happened. Although they'd(they'll) probably give up when Hall asks for a trade

He looks to be a smart guy but had a dumb moment by hiring Eakins
- AlEx_OiL

I had no idea you felt this way. Can you expand on your feelings about Eakins a little more?

I don't think I am, at all. Even if it isn't luck, the winning % is not sustainable when getting out shot. I only give Ralphie credit for running an excellent PP. That can still be fixed, but Eakins might need to hire a specialist.
- Jeropotato

I think your wrong thinking that all that Krueger had going was just the PP,everyone could see that this same players with out the new additions were playing a much better hockey and improving in general.

I think the fan base would give up on EDM if that happened. Although they'd(they'll) probably give up when Hall asks for a trade
- TheNugeIsHuge

Well that's the conundrum isn't it? Can this core group succeed? Is it possible to add the missing pieces on defense without trading one of these players? Is there a chance to improve the team by trading Hall?

I had no idea you felt this way. Can you expand on your feelings about Eakins a little more?
- Jeropotato

well i wish I could spray him too by "accident" and mess his hair

last season ended with me being anxious for this season. 7 games left and I'm not sure I'll watch 25 games next season

I think your wrong thinking that all that Krueger had going was just the PP,everyone could see that this same players with out the new additions were playing a much better hockey and improving in general.
- AlEx_OiL

Outside goaltending and powerplay...where? They had one good stretch last year. We had one good stretch this year. Whats the difference?

Outside goaltending and powerplay...where? They had one good stretch last year. We had one good stretch this year. Whats the difference?
- Jeropotato

how many games have Eakins already Coach so far and what's the record?and remember Krueger didn't even had Pre-season games last season.

1. How do you expect to improve this defense? If you say Eckblad I'm gonna barf. That will not help this team significantly for 2 to 43 seasons.

2. Hemsky was good, but he wasn't gonna be a top 2 lines player here anyway, and probably would test free agency. Notice how re-energized he looks in Ottawa. I don't care what he says about Edmonton to the media-he wanted out.

3. Do you notice how this team quits after a 2 goal defecit-ALL. The. (frank)ing. Time????? Where was Eberle tonight? Or any night we fall behind?

If Mac T is smart, and I beleive he is, at least one of the 'superkids' is a goner this summer.
- Jeropotato

1. The addition of a veteran d and giving guys like Marincin, Nurse, Petry, Schultz and Klefobom a year to improve is how our d will get better. They are really just young. They need a top guy to take the pressure off and learn from. Look how far they have come in such a little while. One year with a better coach and we don't need another guy.

2. Hemsky has never said anything bad about the Oil. Nothing about testing the market. He has always been easy to resign and in every interview he says how much he loves Edmonton and the Oilers. Hemsky wasn't testing any market and we don't need him to be a top line guy. We need him to fill in when our top line guys are either tired from the PK, injured or join the PP. We had Henricks out there on PP tonight. I like Eakins amazing thought to put someone stupid in front of the goalie but I would rather have a playmaker out there.

3. The team has come back from two goals. Eberle was where all our stars were. Being shutdown by the defensive forwards at the blue line and losing battles to veterans for the puck. He did miss an empty net but if you see the replay he also slipped on the shot. That is not normal for him. He has 24 goals this year on a team that sucks. That is more than Nash had before tonight and they are in a playoff run. These guys are young. They need a coach that can motivate them. Not one that benches them and berates them to the media.

They need a young veteran playmaker. Someone who likes playing in Edmonton. A guy that is great under pressure and can score on SOs. A guy that led the team for the better part of last season. Oh right we had a guy just like that but we didn't even try to sign him. MAYBE you are right. MAYBE Hemsky secretly wanted out. At least offer him more than we are paying Gordon. If you don't like him fine. Still trade him when he is on a roll, not when the team is giving him third line minutes when they are second last. Playing Smyth on the PP instead of people that can skate still.

Outside goaltending and powerplay...where? They had one good stretch last year. We had one good stretch this year. Whats the difference?
- Jeropotato

Got to admit it Eakins isn't good for this team or the NHL. Failed experiment. Go ride your bike Eakins

1. The addition of a veteran d and giving guys like Marincin, Nurse, Petry, Schultz and Klefobom a year to improve is how our d will get better. They are really just young. They need a top guy to take the pressure off and learn from. Look how far they have come in such a little while. One year with a better coach and we don't need another guy.

2. Hemsky has never said anything bad about the Oil. Nothing about testing the market. He has always been easy to resign and in every interview he says how much he loves Edmonton and the Oilers. Hemsky wasn't testing any market and we don't need him to be a top line guy. We need him to fill in when our top line guys are either tired from the PK, injured or join the PP. We had Henricks out there on PP tonight. I like Eakins amazing thought to put someone stupid in front of the goalie but I would rather have a playmaker out there.

3. The team has come back from two goals. Eberle was where all our stars were. Being shutdown by the defensive forwards at the blue line and losing battles to veterans for the puck. He did miss an empty net but if you see the replay he also slipped on the shot. That is not normal for him. He has 24 goals this year on a team that sucks. That is more than Nash had before tonight and they are in a playoff run. These guys are young. They need a coach that can motivate them. Not one that benches them and berates them to the media.

They need a young veteran playmaker. Someone who likes playing in Edmonton. A guy that is great under pressure and can score on SOs. A guy that led the team for the better part of last season. Oh right we had a guy just like that but we didn't even try to sign him. MAYBE you are right. MAYBE Hemsky secretly wanted out. At least offer him more than we are paying Gordon. If you don't like him fine. Still trade him when he is on a roll, not when the team is giving him third line minutes when they are second last. Playing Smyth on the PP instead of people that can skate still.
- Hall Fan

For a moment I though my page changed to the edmonton journal when I saw this long post

For a moment I though my page changed to the edmonton journal when I saw this long post
- AlEx_OiL

this the first time you met hall fan?

this the first time you met hall fan?
- deks1

no it just caught me of guard

how many games have Eakins already Coach so far and what's the record?and remember Krueger didn't even had Pre-season games last season.
- AlEx_OiL

Aww (frank). The regression you speak of is so insignificant.

January 2013 4-2-1 75% (of total possible points)
January 2014 4-8-1 37%

Feb 2013 4-5-3 61%
Feb 2014 2-2-1 62%

March 2013 6-6-3 62%
March 2014 6-5-2 63%

So after we fixed the goaltending in mid January, where is the regression?

Aww (frank). The regression you speak of is so insignificant.

January 2013 4-2-1 75% (of total possible points)
January 2014 4-8-1 37%

Feb 2013 4-5-3 61%
Feb 2014 2-2-1 62%

March 2013 6-6-3 62%
March 2014 6-5-2 63%

So after we fixed the goaltending in mid January, where is the regression?
- Jeropotato

After the season is done do again all those numbers base in a Full Season and then take that as your answer about this team regression.

Trade Taylor Hall for Kyle Okposo , the Islanders 2014 1st (they will have to give the 2015 to Buffalo then), Travis Hamonic.

Trade Jordan Eberle to the Winnipeg Jets for Zack Bogosian, 2nd round pick.

Trade Sam Gagner to Nashville For Colin Wilson

Trade Jeff Petry for a 1st round pick .

Draft Ekblad and Draisaitl
Re-sign
Marc Arcobello

Sign
Daniel Winnik
Nicolai Kulemin
Steve Downie

Okposo RNH Kulemin
Perron Arco Yakupov
Winnik Wilson Downie
Smyth Gordon Hendricks

Marincin Bogosian
Hamonic Schultz
Klefbom Ferrence

Scrivens
Fasth

Top Prospects
Ekblad
Draisaitl
Nurse
Lander
Pitlick
Moroz
Chase
Kharia
Simpson
Gernat

Honestly...I feel better about this future than the one we have now.
- Jeropotato

who's edm picking with the 1st rounder from the petry trade?

i'm not going to disagree with you...

http://www.thehockeynews....eal-talent-to-get-talent/

Aww (frank). The regression you speak of is so insignificant.

January 2013 4-2-1 75% (of total possible points)
January 2014 4-8-1 37%

Feb 2013 4-5-3 61%
Feb 2014 2-2-1 62%

March 2013 6-6-3 62%
March 2014 6-5-2 63%

So after we fixed the goaltending in mid January, where is the regression?
- Jeropotato

And to be even more critical about this regression with less talent compare this season to the season prior Krueger short season.

1. The addition of a veteran d and giving guys like Marincin, Nurse, Petry, Schultz and Klefobom a year to improve is how our d will get better. They are really just young. They need a top guy to take the pressure off and learn from. Look how far they have come in such a little while. One year with a better coach and we don't need another guy.


Huh? Which is it? We for sure need another guy, regardless of the coach. He won't be free either, so how do we get him?

2. Hemsky has never said anything bad about the Oil. Nothing about testing the market. He has always been easy to resign and in every interview he says how much he loves Edmonton and the Oilers. Hemsky wasn't testing any market and we don't need him to be a top line guy. We need him to fill in when our top line guys are either tired from the PK, injured or join the PP. We had Henricks out there on PP tonight. I like Eakins amazing thought to put someone stupid in front of the goalie but I would rather have a playmaker out there.

Pure speculation on your part. There is zero garauntee that he would re-sign here. Only wishful thinking on your part. Imagine how you would react if and when he walked at free agency and we got nothing. We all remember your rant last year when we didnt trade him and Erat from Nashville netted Forseberg. You would go ballstic again.

3. The team has come back from two goals. Eberle was where all our stars were. Being shutdown by the defensive forwards at the blue line and losing battles to veterans for the puck. He did miss an empty net but if you see the replay he also slipped on the shot. That is not normal for him. He has 24 goals this year on a team that sucks. That is more than Nash had before tonight and they are in a playoff run. These guys are young. They need a coach that can motivate them. Not one that benches them and berates them to the media.

I don't think it's the coaches fault when he continuously loses battles for the puck. I think it has more to do with his heart and desire and good old fashioned work ethic.

They need a young veteran playmaker. Someone who likes playing in Edmonton. A guy that is great under pressure and can score on SOs. A guy that led the team for the better part of last season. Oh right we had a guy just like that but we didn't even try to sign him. MAYBE you are right. MAYBE Hemsky secretly wanted out. At least offer him more than we are paying Gordon. If you don't like him fine. Still trade him when he is on a roll, not when the team is giving him third line minutes when they are second last. Playing Smyth on the PP instead of people that can skate still.
- Hall Fan

I think "likely" is a more accurate word. And I have always liked him. Not sure Mac T ever had a better offer for him, but I do this for a fact. Mac T knows Hemsky and what Hemsky wants much more than you and I ever have or ever will. Pretty sure if Hemsky wanted to be part of the long term plans he would be more aware of it than you.

who's edm picking with the 1st rounder from the petry trade?

i'm not going to disagree with you...

http://www.thehockeynews....eal-talent-to-get-talent/
- deks1

Who knows?I didnt specify where.

And to be even more critical about this regression with less talent compare this season to the season prior Krueger short season.
- AlEx_OiL

There might be a slight regression, but I doubt if Ralphie was here that we would be in a significantly better spot.

There might be a slight regression, but I doubt if Ralphie was here that we would be in a significantly better spot.
- Jeropotato

Eakins is that you

I think the fan base would give up on EDM if that happened. Although they'd(they'll) probably give up when Hall asks for a trade
- TheNugeIsHuge

Are you kidding me? This fan base is retarded.They will still show up for the games.

To ypur point though, they might start with Eberle and see if we can improve from there. If we win more games, Hall should be happy. Keeping Ebs around to keep Hall all cheery is silly,IMO.

Eakins is that you
- AlEx_OiL

I get your point. Eakins is poop. But here's the deal:
No matter how you feel about it,
Eakins aint going anywhere.
Mac T aint going anywhere.

Deal with it!