There's been lots of trades since MacT started as GM, so saying there's nobody to trade with is wrong. His inept ability to negotiate is the reason it's difficult for him and why nothing is happening.

There's moves that will make the Oilers better sooner rather than later. I've given my suggestions before and had you rip them down because of the "brilliant signings" MacT made in the summer.

I just posted to laugh at the oilers blogger for calling MacT a genius.
- RazzDazzle

He's not the Oilers blogger there chief.

Obviously we should of got Matta for Perron. We all know how other teams are just dying to give us great value on every deal we make.
- Frank.Grimes

Crosby or Malkin you "Genius"

I think the closest comparable this current Oilers team has is to the Blue Jackets when they had Nash & Vorachek, two dynamic offensive guys, but no D or G to speak of. They wallowed away in obscurity for several years thinking these two studs could get them to the promised land, but the proper complimentary pieces were never found. There was flash, but no foundation.

The big difference here is Columbus had financial issues whereas Edmonton only has ineptitude.

But no one can deny that Columbus started to build a proper team at the very moment they traded Nash for all those "lesser" (but greater as a whole) pieces and got creative (lucky?) by signing a starting goalie in Bob.

The point is, there is a right way and a wrong way. You can't be afraid to lose a trade, and you can't stockpile young forwards with no attention to building a complete team.

He's not the Oilers blogger there chief.
- Dangles13

Is it a blog post about oilers? Close.enough then.

Think you`re posting in the wrong blog for an opinion on winning
- cdjaakkola

nice. Still though, the tournament this year has had some great hockey (apart from the games where Canada dominates), like the Czech v Slovak game. Watching the performances from some of the European players I don't ever see was cool, like Eller, Bjorkstrand, Fiala. Usually Tanner has good blogs, don't know where this world juniors rant came from. The WJHC has always had a crazy dropoff in talent, and yet the kids are still young enough that they're just as likely to poop the bed (Fleury) as they are to steal the game.

Crosby or Malkin you "Genius"
- RazzDazzle

Sarcasm you "genius"

I think the closest comparable this current Oilers team has is to the Blue Jackets when they had Nash & Vorachek, two dynamic offensive guys, but no D or G to speak of. They wallowed away in obscurity for several years thinking these two studs could get them to the promised land, but the proper complimentary pieces were never found. There was flash, but no foundation.

The big difference here is Columbus had financial issues whereas Edmonton only has ineptitude.

But no one can deny that Columbus started to build a proper team at the very moment they traded Nash for all those "lesser" (but greater as a whole) pieces and got creative (lucky?) by signing a starting goalie in Bob.

The point is, there is a right way and a wrong way. You can't be afraid to lose a trade, and you can't stockpile young forwards with no attention to building a complete team.
- tom_delonge_ava

How did you go from "wallowed away in obscurity for several years thinking these two studs could get them to the promised land, but the proper complimentary pieces were never found." to "The big difference here is Columbus had financial issues whereas Edmonton only has ineptitude."?

Sarcasm you "genius"
- Frank.Grimes

Sprinkled with whining and Boo hoo's

Can't believe I read 7 pages of this poop. PAINFUL

Thanks Tanner

Sprinkled with whining and Boo hoo's
- RazzDazzle

God you are dumb eh? I was responding to other posters who assume that the other teams in the league are just lining up to make trades with us and are offering full value as well. I think the Perron trade was a good move by MacT. I honestly don't think we could have gotten more for a guy who currently has 5 goals.

Can't believe I read 7 pages of this poop. PAINFUL

Thanks Tanner
- nanook82

Almost as bad as watching a game eh

The big difference here is Columbus had financial issues & ineptitude whereas Edmonton only has ineptitude.

The big difference here is Columbus had financial issues & ineptitude whereas Edmonton only has ineptitude.
- tom_delonge_ava

Ahh I thought you were insinuating that Columbus had no ineptitude.

Almost as bad as watching a game eh
- cdjaakkola

Complains but still lurks. Hmm, effective

Almost as bad as watching a game eh
- cdjaakkola

Last 4 games not really. Previous 34 or 35 YES!

Complains but still lurks. Hmm, effective
- TheNugeIsHuge

No complaints here

you really think there's no chance Canada loses to either the Russians or Swedes for reasons other than "luck or variance"? All three teams are really good, the players are U20 and it's one 60 minute game... plus, Canada hasn't won Gold in years.

Edit: "luck and variance" what does that even mean in this context, there's only two outcomes? Is that a 'they'll win unless they don't' type of comment?
- KarlKarlsson

It means that if they played ten games, Canada would lose one.

James:

Your article wasn't so much a troll blog as it was a exercise in attempting to explain away the futility that the Oilers have become.

They are quite possibly one of the worst run professional franchises of the last decade. From the scouting department - to the GM - to the owner and president they haven't made one smart or beneficial long term move that they didn't luck themselves into.

The Scouting department - if the GM is listening to them - should be taking a long look into the mirror and realizing they are mainly responsible for the most horrid mid round drafting we've seen.

Mac T hasn't been responsible for all of this but he's had a hand in and influenced things for a long time.

You can't pin this pathetic organization on one person.....it's been a total and epic melt down from the top down.

I really truly feel badly for the Oilers fans. They deserve better.
- Canadian kid

1967 gfy

Laugh all you want man, what exactly do you think a team with Eichel-RNH-Draisiatl up the middle is going to do besides win?
- James_Tanner

Of which none have proven themselves to be stars at the NHL level.

RNH is a nice player with upside...but so were Daigle and Stefan.

Draisiatl can't even legally have a beer yet on many of the team's road trips. Take that youth and couple it with a forgettable first season, lets not anoint him a star right yet.

Eichel has been playing great in the college hockey circuit... and has still yet to face a league where the average defender he'll face is 6'3", 220lbs and skates well. Oh, right, and hasn't played a single damned game at the NHL level yet.

You're basing this all on pure speculation. I also want the Oilers to turn around, like I would any Canadian team, but outside of drafting a Crosby, Stamkos or Toews (who live up to their potential), this current incarnation of the Oilers has some junior stars who, outside of Hall, are having a rough time in the big league.

Oh, and there's that little issue with goaltending and defense...

Laugh all you want man, what exactly do you think a team with Eichel-RNH-Draisiatl up the middle is going to do besides win?
- James_Tanner

That's a pretty bold comment considering the assumptions that are required for the Oilers to be contending for a cup in just three years.

Of which none have proven themselves to be stars at the NHL level.

RNH is a nice player with upside...but so were Daigle and Stefan.

Draisiatl can't even legally have a beer yet on many of the team's road trips. Take that youth and couple it with a forgettable first season, lets not anoint him a star right yet.

Eichel has been playing great in the college hockey circuit... and has still yet to face a league where the average defender he'll face is 6'3", 220lbs and skates well. Oh, right, and hasn't played a single damned game at the NHL level yet.

You're basing this all on pure speculation. I also want the Oilers to turn around, like I would any Canadian team, but outside of drafting a Crosby, Stamkos or Toews (who live up to their potential), this current incarnation of the Oilers has some junior stars who, outside of Hall, are having a rough time in the big league.

Oh, and there's that little issue with goaltending and defense...
- OzBolts

What the (frank) does that matter? Stamkos wasn't clubbing it up back in '08

Don't ever compare RNH to Daigle/Stefan.

Mcdavid/Eichel are tagged as generational players the same as Crosby/Stamkos were. So selecting these two would be like drafting a "Crosby/Stamkos/Toews"

That is the very essence of the franchise-wide failure here. They got giddy and acted like the draft was a candy store, drafted a bunch of flash with no concern for team needs, and completely ignored that every successful, post-lockout rebuild has involved developing a strong blue-line and a starting goalie.

They have proven you cannot do it backwards. In fact they outright refuse to trade the "core" forwards anyways.

To answer your question, they have to somewhat start over by doing 3 things:

1. Drafting a goalie and developing him the correct way.

2. Drafting a couple of blue chip defencemen and hoping they are ready in 2-4 years.

AND/OR

3. Figuring out which of Hall, RNH, Eberle you see as your future captain, and trade one of the others for one of those above 2 needs.

I am convinced that McDavid or Eichel will not change a thing unless he is replacing the one of the big 3 who is traded.

Goalies or Dmen are not available for what the Oilers are willing to trade (essentially what no one wants). They are in fact available for players of high value.
- tom_delonge_ava

Ummm.....All Mac T did was draft Centers, Defensemen and goalies....aren't those the team needs?

you really think there's no chance Canada loses to either the Russians or Swedes for reasons other than "luck or variance"? All three teams are really good, the players are U20 and it's one 60 minute game... plus, Canada hasn't won Gold in years.

Edit: "luck and variance" what does that even mean in this context, there's only two outcomes? Is that a 'they'll win unless they don't' type of comment?
- KarlKarlsson

It means tanner will be right either way, and then he can pat himself on the back and call himself smarter than everyone else. Classic tanner.

I think the closest comparable this current Oilers team has is to the Blue Jackets when they had Nash & Vorachek, two dynamic offensive guys, but no D or G to speak of. They wallowed away in obscurity for several years thinking these two studs could get them to the promised land, but the proper complimentary pieces were never found. There was flash, but no foundation.

The big difference here is Columbus had financial issues whereas Edmonton only has ineptitude.

But no one can deny that Columbus started to build a proper team at the very moment they traded Nash for all those "lesser" (but greater as a whole) pieces and got creative (lucky?) by signing a starting goalie in Bob.

The point is, there is a right way and a wrong way. You can't be afraid to lose a trade, and you can't stockpile young forwards with no attention to building a complete team.
- tom_delonge_ava

Despite what Mac said publicly , I beleive 100% that he will trade pieces of the core. He isn't gonna say it to media before it happens, but when the time is right (soon) and the right deal presents itself I think he pulls the trigger.
I will bet that MacTavish will trade away 2 of Eberle, Yak or Schitz before next season.

Despite what Mac said publicly , I beleive 100% that he will trade pieces of the core. He isn't gonna say it to media before it happens, but when the time is right (soon) and the right deal presents itself I think he pulls the trigger.
I will bet that MacTavish will trade away 2 of Eberle, Yak or Schitz before next season.
- Jeropotato

I commend you in believing in this organization!
Yes, I truly mean that