I'm still waiting to see what this defense can do. I still have questions about it as no one is a top pairing d-man that is going to take this team on it's back.

Outside of Schultz maybe having a hat-trick how many times is this team going to have 1 defender step up and win a game for us? It is going to be a collective win by the defense and that isn't always easy to accomplish.
- Lahey

So what happens if you aren't competing by Christmas and you're down with us at the bottom?

my thought too. its too bad we are in the west, the conference of death. Hell even the Flames might make the playoffs if we were in the East...
- geta02it

Even the East isn't that easy to make. Get a lot of easier matchups, but they still have 9 or 10 teams that can be considered playoff teams. Sorry 11, I forgot about the Leafs, they should be fighting for division title.

So what happens if you aren't competing by Christmas and you're down with us at the bottom?
- geta02it

Pull a page out of whips book and hit the crown?

Even the East isn't that easy to make. Get a lot of easier matchups, but they still have 9 or 10 teams that can be considered playoff teams. Sorry 11, I forgot about the Leafs, they should be fighting for division title.
- Lahey

every year since 67

Pull a page out of whips book and hit the crown?
- Lahey

So what happens if you aren't competing by Christmas and you're down with us at the bottom?
- geta02it

Honestly though if we are out by x-mas, Eakins is fired. MacT then has to look at moving one of the former untouchables for a better fit for this team.

You can't go into the off-season having just drafted in the top 3 again and expect to sell this franchise to even your own players. You'll have a Hall asking for a trade, you won't get any UFA's and then what? At some point the GM has to make bold moves.

every year since 67
- geta02it

Honestly though if we are out by x-mas, Eakins is fired. MacT then has to look at moving one of the former untouchables for a better fit for this team.

You can't go into the off-season having just drafted in the top 3 again and expect to sell this franchise to even your own players. You'll have a Hall asking for a trade, you won't get any UFA's and then what? At some point the GM has to make bold moves.
- Lahey

Would likely be Yak or Eberle.

Would likely be Yak or Eberle.
- ystoil

I'm curious to see how Yak is this year...

I'm curious to see how Yak is this year...
- geta02it

I'd say most are. A lot hinges on what he can do. Not only his success on the Oilers, but potential trade value going forward.

every year since 67
- geta02it

I'd say most are. A lot hinges on what he can do. Not only his success on the Oilers, but potential trade value going forward.
- Lahey

It'll be a big year, but i predict he will come out with guns a blazing. I'm betting that him and Eakins (and probably MacT too) had many conversations during the summer and Yakupov knew what he had to focus on and work at.

We should get a good idea come training camp and see where he is sitting.

It'll be a big year, but i predict he will come out with guns a blazing. I'm betting that him and Eakins (and probably MacT too) had many conversations during the summer and Yakupov knew what he had to focus on and work at.

We should get a good idea come training camp and see where he is sitting.
- ChetManly

I think the biggest thing yak at to work on really couldn't be worked on to be honest. He play away from the puck is the main concern and while he can watch footage it doesn't really help until you are back practicing and playing with a team.