Ralph Kruger was good. You guys screwed the pooch on that one.

I'm not throwing in the towel, quite the opposite. If Edmonton plays a 60 minute effort of their style of play from the first two games and doesn't try to make too many changes, we will have our best season in 5 years.
- Morris

Yep.

No man No. They won't be back. THAT'S THE PROBLEM

Wayyyyy to many problems. And I'm not just here to chirp the Oil.
- The-O-G

There are two ways to think of the problem: on one hand, you need to rightly perceive when a big change needs to be made. Maybe this is one of those times.

On the other hand, if you keep concentrating on how doomed you are and the big picture instead of taking it a shift, a period, a game at a time, you totally play right into the negative self-destructiveness that has had them in a funk for the past couple of seasons.

No man No. They won't be back. THAT'S THE PROBLEM

Wayyyyy to many problems. And I'm not just here to chirp the Oil.
- The-O-G

Thats the key word

They interviewed a few, the issue was they were looking for an associate originally. Then Eakins blew their socks off and they just scrapped that idea.

They actually offered the position to someone that went to TB, believe from VAN.
- Lahey

Your talking outta yer arse! Eakins was earmarked for the position by "The Lord of the rings" himself! ....... Only because, The year prior , our farm team lost to the Marlies, the team that Eakins was coaching! That championship alone solidified his position with the Edmonton oilers.

Ralph Kruger was good. You guys screwed the pooch on that one.
- BINGO!

This

Ralph Kruger was good. You guys screwed the pooch on that one.
- BINGO!

I've got mixed feelings. I hated his system. We played worse 5 on 5, we just had great special teams. He used some of our talent better.

Our special teams have sucked under Eakins. we play actually a little better 5 on 5. He uses guys like Yakupov considerably worse.

Renney is the coach we shouldn't have fired imo.

With Petry in the linup they gave up 5 goals then 4. Without him they gave up 6. Not arguing he is one of our best defenders, just that if moving him brings in a more solid player up front, doesn't appear to be hurting the defense too much, but again this is only after a 3 game sample.
- ruttager17

Fair points. It would definitely depend on the return for me.

I literally have no idea what Hunt is doing on the Oilers. If Nikitin is not 100% he shouldn't be playing while either Petry or Nurse sit in the box. I want to see them resolve those issues before I make too much of a comment about how much this oilers team will miss Petry.

I've got mixed feelings. I hated his system. We played worse 5 on 5, we just had great special teams. He used some of our talent better.

Our special teams have sucked under Eakins. we play actually a little better 5 on 5. He uses guys like Yakupov considerably worse.

Renney is the coach we shouldn't have fired imo.
- Morris

Your wisdom has been missed.

Ralph Kruger was good. You guys screwed the pooch on that one.
- BINGO!

I think he'd be more a great assistant coach. Not a Eakins fan at all though.

Fair points. It would definitely depend on the return for me.

I literally have no idea what Hunt is doing on the Oilers. If Nikitin is not 100% he shouldn't be playing while either Petry or Nurse sit in the box. I want to see them resolve those issues before I make too much of a comment about how much this oilers team will miss Petry.
- Morris

Agreed. Hunt is a 1 trick pony whose 1 trick has only paid off once. If they are gonna have a guy on the PP strictly for his shot, may as well have that guy be a forward, that they can bench, not a Dman that is gonna give up 234586% more goals than he scores. That number may be slightly exaggerating however.

Edmonton Blogger (a) Hits are down this week, no real newsworthy stuff to blog about. Edmonton Blogger (b) Lets write stuff to piss off our readers, it’s a good way to get hits, doesn’t need to be factual or have credibility. Eklund does it all the time! Game on!!!!
- VanHockeyGuy

Does it bother you to read the occasional snide blog? Am I only allowed to shill for the Oilers by writing happy things despite their actions? I'm sorry you think the team making itself worse by benching superior players is a slow news week for a winless club.

Great breakdown of how the Oilers just aren't equipped/prepared to deal with good breakouts.

Does it bother you to read the occasional snide blog? Am I only allowed to shill for the Oilers by writing happy things despite their actions? I'm sorry you think the team making itself worse by benching superior players is a slow news week for a winless club.
- Matt_Henderson

Well put. I bleed for this team but you still have to ask questions. Jason Gregor just made a great point. The only member of this franchise doing their job right now is the fanbase.

Does it bother you to read the occasional snide blog? Am I only allowed to shill for the Oilers by writing happy things despite their actions? I'm sorry you think the team making itself worse by benching superior players is a slow news week for a winless club.
- Matt_Henderson

Yo, who cares what the masses say! Haters gonna hate! I don't see anyone else stepping up to write! I personally enjoy your blogs. Keep on keeping on Matt! Stay original.

Note: My iPhone sucks like my hockey team!

Great breakdown of how the Oilers just aren't equipped/prepared to deal with good breakouts.
- DTF69

Hire this guy.

Does it bother you to read the occasional snide blog? Am I only allowed to shill for the Oilers by writing happy things despite their actions? I'm sorry you think the team making itself worse by benching superior players is a slow news week for a winless club.
- Matt_Henderson

Yo, who cares what the masses say! Haters gonna hate! I don't see anyone else stepping up to write! I personally enjoy your blogs. Keep on keeping on Matt! Stay original.

Does it bother you to read the occasional snide blog? Am I only allowed to shill for the Oilers by writing happy things despite their actions? I'm sorry you think the team making itself worse by benching superior players is a slow news week for a winless club.
- Matt_Henderson

By 2 Edmonton Bloggers! The same day? Look around the league.

Does it bother you to read the occasional snide blog? Am I only allowed to shill for the Oilers by writing happy things despite their actions? I'm sorry you think the team making itself worse by benching superior players is a slow news week for a winless club.
- Matt_Henderson

Don't worry Hendy, that guy is being a knob..I enjoyed the blog

Hire this guy.
- Nucker101

Only if he BELIEVES in Corsi.

Hire this guy.
- Nucker101

I thought at first glance that was Hunt defending the 2 on 1 because his gap control is awful.

Then I realized it was Ference and went 'oh my (frank)'

http://hfboards.hockeysfu.../showthread.php?t=1752523

I thought at first glance that was Hunt defending the 2 on 1 because his gap control is awful.

Then I realized it was Ference and went 'oh my (frank)'
- DTF69

That was pretty brutal, I actually assumed it was Hunt as well.

Great breakdown of how the Oilers just aren't equipped/prepared to deal with good breakouts.
- DTF69

An NHL defenseman should know not to pinch there.

Hunt is not (yet) an NHL defenseman (may never be).

That was pretty brutal, I actually assumed it was Hunt as well.
- Nucker101

That video basically sums up something I brought up last night on how easily the Oilers get carved by a strong side break out.

Also shows another point where since the Oilers don't play well in the neutral zone it usually leaves the back defenceman in "i'm (frank)ed land"

Although that gap by Ference was well beyond "i'm (frank)ed land"