Puke Schenn
- eichiefs9

Jizz Petry

My point is that if we had a top 10 Defenseman ( excluding PK or Karrllssonn) that would be enough to fix our D. The flip side to that is if we had a Josi or Brodin we would be minimally improved, if at all, and lastly if Marincin, Petry or Fayne were paired with an Elite Defender on another team they probably wouldn't look too out of place.
In summary, our D still sucks at the moment.
- Jeropotato

True, the current group is fack Ed! Keep in mind, if you took any of our d men and put them with a mid range defender on any other team, success would only depend on if there was a set defensive system In place at the time of signing. If there isn't a system in place, that would result in an epic fail. (See oilers)

I have seen glimpses of a potential system with our current group of defenders during a few games this year. Problem is , we don't have a set system that everyone has bought into for our defenders to follow, combined with new faces on the back end, we are still a season or two away from sound defence, barring any major personnel changes.

Basically, if we added even a Weber, it would not change the outcomes of our games due to our new defenders playing a new system. There is no foundation to build on.

Since we are talking about the need for a #1D, how many are out there, regardless of whether or not they are available? 25 maybe?

With that being said what is the price for a #1D? Where's a St. Louis when you need them to give up on a generational talent defencemen again?

For #1D in today's NHL i think its

- 1 or 2 1st rounders
- 1 or 2 solid top 4 D or top 6 F on reasonable contracts
- 1 or 2 highly rated prospect
- prospects later picks to balance out

The amount of 1st rounders or players or prospects would depend on the balance of the other 2 categories listed.

Thoughts?

Glad you guys are speaking up about the caliber of defensemen Eakins has to use rather than throwing him into the fire. Not saying he's the guy to take them to the finals, but this is easily the worst blueline in the NHL. Buffalo has better D men.

Since we are talking about the need for a #1D, how many are out there, regardless of whether or not they are available? 25 maybe?

With that being said what is the price for a #1D? Where's a St. Louis when you need them to give up on a generational talent defencemen again?

For #1D in today's NHL i think its

- 1 or 2 1st rounders
- 1 or 2 solid top 4 D or top 6 F on reasonable contracts
- 1 or 2 highly rated prospect
- prospects later picks to balance out

The amount of 1st rounders or players or prospects would depend on the balance of the other 2 categories listed.

Thoughts?
- massa_3

You'd be correct, and any 1D that becomes available will have some flaws and/or concerns. Like Yandle, Phaneuf, or Myers , they are the kind of guys that will be available and are arguably 1D's. (May I stress 'arguably')

Oilers will never give up there 1st's though as they think it's just a matter of time before they pan out.

Kinda hard to blame the coach IMO. How many coaches have gone through Edmonton and couldn't turn that team around? Time to replace the tools not the mechanic.
- bmoney411

To be fair- Renney should never had been fired in the first place- it was just due to the process- he should have been hired last... and also- you dont hire a rookie (frank)ing coach for a team that has little winning vet presence- and youth that dont know how to win at an NHL level...

Glad you guys are speaking up about the caliber of defensemen Eakins has to use rather than throwing him into the fire. Not saying he's the guy to take them to the finals, but this is easily the worst blueline in the NHL. Buffalo has better D men.


- Boosinicka

Hey what did we do to be brought into this.

To be fair- Renney should never had been fired in the first place- it was just due to the process- he should have been hired last... and also- you dont hire a rookie (frank)ing coach for a team that has little winning vet presence- and youth that dont know how to win at an NHL level...
- saskoil21

I think Eakins is actually a good coach, but this is the most accurate shot at the front office for his hiring. Very good point.

Hey what did we do to be brought into this.
- ImThatGuy

*looks at standings* you know what you did...

I think Eakins is actually a good coach, but this is the most accurate shot at the front office for his hiring. Very good point.
- Boosinicka

Please if you believe that Eakins is a good coach can you please convince the leaf to take him and take Acton as well.

Theyre working on it. The roster has changed so much since the end of the 2013 season. It's tough when you have so many core pieces that are still young and under developed.
- Jeropotato

A good goaltender Would do alot for them. They Should almost look at trading one those young guns for a good young goaltender and a solid defensemen. All though even with those assets will be hard to pry a good goaltender from anyone.

I am a big Oilers fan.... got nothing against Eakins... but fire him and hire a new 'free running coach'. The Oilers need a coach that lets them run wild; bruce B did it with the caps; paul mac in ottawa, and roy in COL..... young players need to have a less serious coach....... then just watch--- oilers can have a strong 2nd half and finally breakout of the basement mentality. They def can in my books

Please if you believe that Eakins is a good coach can you please convince the leaf to take him and take Acton as well.
- AlEx_OiL

We'll throw in AlEx_Oil too for free.

I am a big Oilers fan.... got nothing against Eakins... but fire him and hire a new 'free running coach'. The Oilers need a coach that lets them run wild; bruce B did it with the caps; paul mac in ottawa, and roy in COL..... young players need to have a less serious coach....... then just watch--- oilers can have a strong 2nd half and finally breakout of the basement mentality. They def can in my books
- AlfieisKing

Kinda hard to blame the coach IMO. How many coaches have gone through Edmonton and couldn't turn that team around? Time to replace the tools not the mechanic.
- bmoney411

I agree to an extent, but when decisions are being made like playing an AHL defenceman 20 minutes a night, healthy scratching your best D, and just recently subbing arguably one of our best 2 defenceman for KEITH FREAKING AULIE, then you have to question the coaching decisions.

I agree to an extent, but when decisions are being made like playing an AHL defenceman 20 minutes a night, healthy scratching your best D, and just recently subbing arguably one of our best 2 defenceman for KEITH FREAKING AULIE, then you have to question the coaching decisions.
- Zinner21

who cares, at least you'll get another chance at the first pick

- ProfessorChaos

This photo made me snort. A point for you, good sir

I agree to an extent, but when decisions are being made like playing an AHL defenceman 20 minutes a night, healthy scratching your best D, and just recently subbing arguably one of our best 2 defenceman for KEITH FREAKING AULIE, then you have to question the coaching decisions.
- Zinner21

Our coach consults a psychic.

I am a big Oilers fan.... got nothing against Eakins... but fire him and hire a new 'free running coach'. The Oilers need a coach that lets them run wild; bruce B did it with the caps; paul mac in ottawa, and roy in COL..... young players need to have a less serious coach....... then just watch--- oilers can have a strong 2nd half and finally breakout of the basement mentality. They def can in my books
- AlfieisKing

You can have our coach. We would prefer one who specializes in defense and penalty killing.

You can have our coach. We would prefer one who specializes in defense and penalty killing.
- Isles_since_6

Will also accept: one who specializes in coaching.

Edmonton should go after Seabrook. The guy is an beast and he is that veteran presence that they need.

Chicago also needs that cap room badly for next season.

Since we are talking about the need for a #1D, how many are out there, regardless of whether or not they are available? 25 maybe?

With that being said what is the price for a #1D? Where's a St. Louis when you need them to give up on a generational talent defencemen again?

For #1D in today's NHL i think its

- 1 or 2 1st rounders
- 1 or 2 solid top 4 D or top 6 F on reasonable contracts
- 1 or 2 highly rated prospect
- prospects later picks to balance out

The amount of 1st rounders or players or prospects would depend on the balance of the other 2 categories listed.

Thoughts?
- massa_3

Or scott gomez

Edmonton should go after Seabrook. The guy is an beast and he is that veteran presence that they need.

Chicago also needs that cap room badly for next season.
- classic321

I'd be into that. We'd need to send back some salary back though, not just (high) picks and (good) prospects

I'd be into that. We'd need to send back some salary back though, not just (high) picks and (good) prospects
- Morris

What does his contract look like ?

What does his contract look like ?
- Zinner21

or you could save some $ by taking l.schenn and grossmann