So how many years in a row??
- RazzDazzle

For the Flames to miss the playoffs? Or no cup???

The yak conundrum is simple ...who is gonna break first him or Eakins .....yak either learns to play a more defensive game and earn his minutes or Eakins gives in and let's yak float around hoping he will score ....as long as there is hostility between the two I'd be worried as an oilers fan on what yaks future holds ....ic 3 legit possibilities....he learns to play a more responsible game and with his skill he still puts up big numbers ....he is allowed to float around and produces offended while being scored on just as much ....the two sides decide to part ...either via trade or yak bolts to KHL

I think the main problem is that the oil lack the proper leadership ...your captain has to be able to inspire all aspects of the game ....he has to be offensive....defensive ....physical ...and fight ....that way everyone one the team can follow by example in some form. The coaches message can be relayed through the captains actions ....when Iggy left I was worried who would fill that role ...gio has more than succeeded in that ....I'm not seeing this kinda guy with the oil right now...ference is not captain material

As for Johnny hockey ....I'm a lot lower on him being a star as some on here claim ...will I be surprised if he sticks and puts up decent numbers no ...but at his size he is one hit away from being an often injured 3rd 4th liner
- Redmile247

There's not a ton of animosity between the two actually. It's a lot of hearsay.

My honest opinion isn't that Yakupov is lazy and doesn't want to play defense. It's that he's a little stunted and needs to learn how to play positionally consistent hockey. It's not like he doesn't try out there, he's just gotten by on decent size and amazing hands and skating so he's never had to work that much on his positional play in junior.

In fact, he probably took more strides with Eakins this year than he did with hopalong Krueger in his rookie year. I don't expect him to be great defensively, but he's shown flashes that he can be a pesky forchecking winger like Marchand. Marchand with a better shot as a top end is a pretty useful player.

If anything, Engelland is much more suited for the Western Canadian(aka scrub hockey) style of play...should help him tremendously.
- The-O-G

Agreed.

Hey. Truculent is our word. You can't use it.
- Feeling Glucky?

Nice try!!!!

Yes
- Iggysbff

Yak wasn't the only one that struggled with the transition to the swarm. Many did. He just got extra attention because he was struggling to score as well.
- Iggysbff

He got the extra attention also because of the 1st overall tag he will forever have ...media Will put that pressure on him a lot ...either hoping he will succeed or hoping he will give a good sound byte

That's dumb. It's his office. Should he not be proud if it? U probably have your Atom trophies on display.
- Jeropotato

(frank).....there's some gold on here today!

The flames board has been taken over by oilers fans lately, I want a banning spree
- Bigern4MVP

It's better than just me talking to you all day!

There's not a ton of animosity between the two actually. It's a lot of hearsay.

My honest opinion isn't that Yakupov is lazy and doesn't want to play defense. It's that he's a little stunted and needs to learn how to play positionally consistent hockey. It's not like he doesn't try out there, he's just gotten by on decent size and amazing hands and skating so he's never had to work that much on his positional play in junior.

In fact, he probably took more strides with Eakins this year than he did with hopalong Krueger in his rookie year. I don't expect him to be great defensively, but he's shown flashes that he can be a pesky forchecking winger like Marchand. Marchand with a better shot as a top end is a pretty useful player.
- Morris

I can agree with this ...the media wants there to be an issue between them for a good story ....and much like the Sven AHL stint where he wasn't producing I can see yak having a dip in production as long as it's him working on his defensive game

I can agree with this ...the media wants there to be an issue between them for a good story ....and much like the Sven AHL stint where he wasn't producing I can see yak having a dip in production as long as it's him working on his defensive game
- Redmile247

True

I wouldn't worry. Yakupov will be called up to the NHL this year and he will be tested amonst men this year. I'm sure he can carve out his niche.

For the Flames to miss the playoffs? Or no cup???
- Iggysbff

I'm not sure how or why Oiler fans comment on lack of playoff appearances/success... Seems to me that in the last decade, the Flames have 65 more regular season wins, 3 more playoff appearances and an equal number of Cups as the Oilers, and in the first year of their rebuild, finished ahead of the Oilers in the standings.

So, where did we land on the years in a row with no playoffs? Oilers are currently at 8, Flames at 5. Pretty gross for both sides, but we still have 3 years on you, so even if you do make it this year, which is a stretch of the imagination, I think it's safe to say the Flames won't eclipse the Oilers futility record anytime soon

LOL, dude, that's beside the point. He has Cup pictures and Cup memoribilia with the Oilers, why, in a video to OILER Fans, would the president of the Oilers not portray some Oiler history in the background as opposed to another team's?

Pride in your office is one thing, but when you have the opportunity to communicate with the fans, have the decency to put a little team history (or logo) in the background.
- rmull905

Because it's Kevin Lowe, we know his history,are well aware of all 6 of his cups and we don't care. If it isn't a big deal to us, why should it be an issue to him? I've heard to petty comments in the past, but that one was as weak as they come.

Says the marincin fanboy club chair
- Bigern4MVP

Yup. Like Marincin...gonna be a quality 3-4 for years to come.

The flames board has been taken over by oilers fans lately, I want a banning spree
- Bigern4MVP

Like I said on the last thread...with out us there would be no Flames thread, just a couple pages of you guys giving verbal Hand Jobs to Kris Russel and Johnny Gudreau. You are welcome.

Colin wrote

"With that established, the Flames have been acquiring players who meet both criteria; at least so they hope. This summer alone, the Flames have brought in experienced winger Brandon Bollig(6’3 2215lbs) and defenseman Deryk Engelland(6’2, 215lbs). "

With those measurements should seriously look at putting Bollig is net…...

The yak conundrum is simple ...who is gonna break first him or Eakins .....yak either learns to play a more defensive game and earn his minutes or Eakins gives in and let's yak float around hoping he will score ....as long as there is hostility between the two I'd be worried as an oilers fan on what yaks future holds ....ic 3 legit possibilities....he learns to play a more responsible game and with his skill he still puts up big numbers ....he is allowed to float around and produces offended while being scored on just as much ....the two sides decide to part ...either via trade or yak bolts to KHL

I think the main problem is that the oil lack the proper leadership ...your captain has to be able to inspire all aspects of the game ....he has to be offensive....defensive ....physical ...and fight ....that way everyone one the team can follow by example in some form. The coaches message can be relayed through the captains actions ....when Iggy left I was worried who would fill that role ...gio has more than succeeded in that ....I'm not seeing this kinda guy with the oil right now...ference is not captain material

As for Johnny hockey ....I'm a lot lower on him being a star as some on here claim ...will I be surprised if he sticks and puts up decent numbers no ...but at his size he is one hit away from being an often injured 3rd 4th liner
- Redmile247

Or....Yak and Eakins both make changes, there is no hostility and they meet in the middle.

It's not as exciting as some sensationalistic scandal but way more likely.

What fun would that be? I will gladly take some bs if there is some entertaining discussion to go along with it
- JimmyBeem

100% Bubba. We exactly like when you guys come by for a visit...even some of the dumber ones like Bigern and Whipper

Because it's Kevin Lowe, we know his history,are well aware of all 6 of his cups and we don't care. If it isn't a big deal to us, why should it be an issue to him? I've heard to petty comments in the past, but that one was as weak as they come.
- Jeropotato

LOL, you thought it was petty? I just brought it up because I remembered it and remembered thinking how angry I would have been if a Feaster had a press conference in front of his Lightning cup picture from 2003/04. That would offend me greatly as a fan of the Flames, so it's curious to me that other fans wouldn't feel the same.

The problem I have is actually in your statement above, it's Kevin Lowe's history on display in that office, not the Oilers. Family photo, sure, fill your boots, but when you are trying to convey an important message to your fans, at least show them that you are living the Oilers brand, that's all.

(frank).....there's some gold on here today!
- The-O-G

Talk about making a big deal out of (frank) all.

LOL, you thought it was petty? I just brought it up because I remembered it and remembered thinking how angry I would have been if a Feaster had a press conference in front of his Lightning cup picture from 2003/04. That would offend me greatly as a fan of the Flames, so it's curious to me that other fans wouldn't feel the same.

The problem I have is actually in your statement above, it's Kevin Lowe's history on display in that office, not the Oilers. Family photo, sure, fill your boots, but when you are trying to convey an important message to your fans, at least show them that you are living the Oilers brand, that's all.
- rmull905

Yes...extremely petty. Have you been in his office? You make it seem like he has a shrine built to his Rangers career.

Edit: I suppose if there were some doubt that Kevin Lowe didn't love or wasn't committed to the Oilers, or we thought he was lobbying for a job with the Rangers we might have issues with it. I seriously doubt Lowe's commitment can be questioned.

When does training camp start?

No he wont....Nurse can't play in the AHL this year so there is little chance they will see eachother outside of pre-season....on second thought...that's more than enough time to resort Johnny Hockey to a mere sh!t stain on the end boards.
- Jeropotato

Again, yoj can't hit whzt you can't catch. The only thing Nurse will be hitting is the side boards when he tries to tag Johnny and misses.

For the Flames to miss the playoffs? Or no cup???
- Iggysbff

lol I didn't mention anything about missing the playoffs, or winning cups.. it's an even more pathetic stat. How many years in a row have the Oilers drafted Top 5???

Again, yoj can't hit whzt you can't catch. The only thing Nurse will be hitting is the side boards when he tries to tag Johnny and misses.
- TandA4Flames

Engrish please?