yeah, I am not sure Greene would just give him top line mins etc in Utica though. He would have to earn or at least show that he should be there, once there. Very frustrating with regards to Kassian, was really looking for a step fw from where he left off last year.
- anavar

I think Green would be pretty excited to have him, Kassian can be dominant at the AHL level. I'd be shocked if he didn't get top 6 minutes with PP time for just a conditioning stint. He could easily be their best player.

I love going to Rexall for the LEafs games, the crowd is about 50:50 and the atmosphere is phenomenal
- lumlums

And its a garunteed win.

I love going to Rexall for the LEafs games, the crowd is about 50:50 and the atmosphere is phenomenal
- lumlums

Yeah, the 50/50 crowds are actually the most intense from what I've heard from people who go to the MTL/TOR games here.

So anyone else think that its a great idea to send Kassian down to the AHL for a "conditioning stint" to the AHL for the max time allowed(2 weeks, I think?). Get him top line minutes there to get him going again.
- Nucker101

I don't think he has the mental fortitude to do that, maybe I'm wrong but I think he'll just mope around down there and get nothing accomplished.

I really like him on that third line, they've been really good this year

I don't think he has the mental fortitude to do that, maybe I'm wrong but I think he'll just mope around down there and get nothing accomplished.

I really like him on that third line, they've been really good this year
- LeftCoaster

Well they can sit him down before and just tell him that they just want to get him into game shape again so it doesn't feel like it's a demotion or anything. If he's that moody then I'd be more open to trading him, we don't want the next Chris Stewart.

I agree that he and Matthias have had some good games this year, together.

MacT
- lumlums

For what it's worth, I actually thought MacT was a great coach for us at the AHL level and thought he'd have made a much better option than Torts. I was surprised he ended up as a GM since coaching seemed like his forte.

That said, I don't think Scotty Bowman could salvage this season for the Oilers.

Well they can sit him down before and just tell him that they just want to get him into game shape again so it doesn't feel like it's a demotion or anything. If he's that moody then I'd be more open to trading him, we don't want the next Chris Stewart.

I agree that he and Matthias have had some good games this year, together.
- Nucker101

Kass has to be consistent, that's his biggest issue

For what it's worth, I actually thought MacT was a great coach for us at the AHL level and thought he'd have made a much better option than Torts. I was surprised he ended up as a GM since coaching seemed like his forte.

That said, I don't think Scotty Bowman could salvage this season for the Oilers.
- AlexF

I remember Jordan Schroeder saying he learned more in one year from MacT in the AHL than he had in four years of college hockey, I agree, he seems to be a good coach.

Kass has to be consistent, that's his biggest issue
- LeftCoaster

I honestly don't think that's something that can be taught. My opinion of course.

For what it's worth, I actually thought MacT was a great coach for us at the AHL level and thought he'd have made a much better option than Torts. I was surprised he ended up as a GM since coaching seemed like his forte.

That said, I don't think Scotty Bowman could salvage this season for the Oilers.
- AlexF

Agree, I think he's a solid coach. I was hoping he'd stay longer as our AHL coach, but Green appears to be a solid coach himself.

I remember Jordan Schroeder saying he learned more in one year from MacT in the AHL than he had in four years of college hockey, I agree, he seems to be a good coach.
- LeftCoaster

Even Kevin Conaughton looked like a legit future NHLer under MacT. He definitely has the gift.

I remember Jordan Schroeder saying he learned more in one year from MacT in the AHL than he had in four years of college hockey, I agree, he seems to be a good coach.
- LeftCoaster

And he still sucked for us, what a bust

Even Kevin Conaughton looked like a legit future NHLer under MacT. He definitely has the gift.
- AlexF

For sure, our prospect group sucked back then.

I honestly don't think that's something that can be taught. My opinion of course.
- AlexF

It can however be a natural progression or learning process that evolves with maturity...I hope it clicks one day for him. He can learn better work habits through life experience, we all can.

For sure, our prospect group sucked back then.
- Nucker101

To be fair, for that group to make good as full-time NHLers would have required Gandalf.

And he still sucked for us, what a bust
- Nucker101

We've been down this road before, it was a poor pick, you don't pick those types of players unless they are EXTREMELY talented, like that Gaudreau kid.

It can however be a natural progression or learning process that evolves with maturity...I hope it clicks one day for him. He can learn better work habits through life experience, we all can.
- LeftCoaster

Agreed.

For sure, our prospect group sucked back then.
- Nucker101

I know we are in first but I am not thrilled about the current Comets roster either.

It will look better next year I think

To be fair, for that group to make good as full-time NHLers would have required Gandalf.
- AlexF

For sure, that wasn't a shot at Mac-T at all. Just a general comment. It was sad that some were pencilling in Grenier, Mallet, Lain, Schroeder, Sauve, Rodin, Connauton in future/proposal lineups. Those types of guys are just solid/depth/project prospects in legit prospects pools, not the core.

For what it's worth, I actually thought MacT was a great coach for us at the AHL level and thought he'd have made a much better option than Torts. I was surprised he ended up as a GM since coaching seemed like his forte.

That said, I don't think Scotty Bowman could salvage this season for the Oilers.
- AlexF

He's a decent coach for sure, but how long before Katz stops letting the inmates run the asylum?

For sure, that wasn't a shot at Mac-T at all. Just a general comment. It was sad that some were pencilling in Grenier, Mallet, Lain, Schroeder, Sauve, Rodin, Connauton in future/proposal lineups. Those types of guys are just solid/depth/project prospects in legit prospects pools, not the core.
- Nucker101

It is important to pick up top 10 picks instead of later pick. Most teams not named Oilers manage to turn them into good NHL ers

I know we are in first but I am not thrilled about the current Comets roster either.

It will look better next year I think
- VANTEL

Gaoltending has been their co-MVP's so it's not as sexy on defense/forward since they rely on great AHL goaltending and a solid team effort to win games. Shinkaruk needs to get stronger and more mature. Gaunce needs to be more aggressive, Jensen's been starting to produce more consistently and developed a better two-way game. Apparently Alex Friesen has been really good lately. They do have AHL vets like Saguinetti, O'Rielly that play big roles as well.

Would be great to see the decent young blueline prospects in Subban/McNally/Hutton all join the team next year. I think Hutton and Subban will get signed and sent to the AHL, but I'm not sure about McNally

Gaoltending has been their co-MVP's so it's not as sexy on defense/forward since they rely on great AHL goaltending and a solid team effort to win games. Shinkaruk needs to get stronger and more mature. Gaunce needs to be more aggressive, Jensen's been starting to produce more consistently and developed a better two-way game. Apparently Alex Friesen has been really good lately. They do have AHL vets like Saguinetti, O'Rielly that play big roles as well.

Would be great to see the decent young blueline prospects in Subban/McNally/Hutton all join the team next year. I think Hutton and Subban will get signed and sent to the AHL, but I'm not sure about McNally
- Nucker101

McCann and Virtanen might be there also.

It is important to pick up top 10 picks instead of later pick. Most teams not named Oilers manage to turn them into good NHL ers
- VANTEL

Meh, teams like STL/LA/DET/CHI/TB have found some solid core guys outside of the top 10. Just need to scout ad develop better. Obviously drafting higher helps your odds, but it's not impossible to do it in other ways. But not if Benning keeps drafting MacKenzie Stewart's and Kyle Pettit's. Draft guys who are good offensive players and develop their weaknesses. That's what the smart teams do. Not junior role players.

McCann and Virtanen might be there also.
- VANTEL

Virtanen is NHL or CHL like Bo this year. I think McCann is as well.