Edmonton is a lot nicer these days. It is not small at all. Even if it was Smithers is what 6-8 hours away?

I think he would ask himself who gives him a better chance at a cup.
- VANTEL

Ok, no comment lol...... let's just say it's still a little lacking as compared to cities like Vancouver. I think family and being close to home is more important for a guy like Hahmhuis, rather than some nebulous dream of chasing a Stanely Cup with a team that is still years away, and in a small city with its very harsh climate most of the year round.

I expect Oilers to make a very big trade next year , I am thinking, Weber or Malking to make them selves years ahead.

I tell you I really like Nurse. This could be a very good team very soon
- VANTEL

Nurse is looking good but as I tell my cousins (who's an oiler fan). Team won't be any good without a 200 foot Center. Reason why Detroit, Chicago, Boston have been so good and why Van was good. Datysuk, toews, Bergeron, Kesler.

Why calgary was better monahan.

That could help, as he's got a winning pedigree and you know he will turn the team into a competitor sooner than later. I just don't think Hahmuis would waive, since his whole family is here in BC
- Zogg

The times are changing.

Chirelli signed, Nichols signed, they will probably get Mcleland or a big name coach.

Things changed the night McDavid found out he was going to Oiltown

Ok, no comment lol...... let's just say it's still a little lacking as compared to cities like Vancouver. I think family and being close to home is more important for a guy like Hahmhuis, rather than some nebulous dream of chasing a Stanely Cup with a team that is still years away.
- Zogg

I have to admit I go every year to Edm in the winter to visit family and have snow for a few days. Global warming seems to be taking away a lot of the LONG COLD winter

The times are changing.

Chirelli signed, Nichols signed, they will probably get Mcleland or a big name coach.

Things changed the night McDavid found out he was going to Oiltown
- VANTEL

Agreed, but that's just not enough incentive for a lot of players, especially ones with families - oh and even more so ones with families AND wives (ask Mrs Pronger how that all went ).

As far as McDavid, they haven't picked nor signed him yet (what if he pulls a Lindros? it's possible - unlikely but possible)

Nurse is looking good but as I tell my cousins (who's an oiler fan). Team won't be any good without a 200 foot Center. Reason why Detroit, Chicago, Boston have been so good and why Van was good. Datysuk, toews, Bergeron, Kesler.

Why calgary was better monahan.
- manvanfan

Gordon is decent

Agreed, but that's just not enough incentive for a lot of players, especially ones with families - oh and even more so ones with families AND wives (ask Mrs Pronger how that all went ).

As far as McDavid, they haven't picked nor signed him yet (what if he pulls a Lindros? it's possible - unlikely but possible)
- Zogg

Not gonna happen.

Nurse is looking good but as I tell my cousins (who's an oiler fan). Team won't be any good without a 200 foot Center. Reason why Detroit, Chicago, Boston have been so good and why Van was good. Datysuk, toews, Bergeron, Kesler.

Why calgary was better monahan.
- manvanfan

Nuge is a good two way center.

He absolutely could but with the Oilers record of suck I don't see Chiarelli moving a first unless the guy coming back is 30 or younger. For Hamhuis I'd start with a 2nd rounder and add from there.
- Dangles13

If you guys want to keep your core together, draft picks are the only real trade chip you have. And ironically, you might be the only team in the league where trading for an older vet actually makes sense.

I'm not saying Hamuis is the guy, but I would be surprised if you still have next year's first by the end of summer. I know that if I was Benning I would be trying to get my hands on it.

Gordon is decent
- VANTEL

lol

I think it's the same reason why pitt can't win a cup again. No Jordan Staal.

Nuge is a good two way center.
- Dangles13

He's a good if not great centre but he's not the selke candidate that teams need these days.

lol

I think it's the same reason why pitt can't win a cup again. No Jordan Staal.
- manvanfan

Point taken

He's a good if not great centre but he's not the selke candidate that teams need these days.
- manvanfan

I think he'll surprise you once he starts hitting his prime and gets some defence and a goalie. He's got a very good stick like Datsyuk.

Nurse has looked great in these playoffs. The guy was flying all over the ice the one game I saw recently. He's definitely going to be a good one.
- Zogg

He was one of the best players at the World Juniors as well. He and Domi might have been the best two players on Canada.

I think he'll surprise you once he starts hitting his prime and gets some defence and a goalie. He's got a very good stick like Datsyuk.
- Dangles13

Not yet he doesnt

Ducks sure looked great last night; however, I don't think you can dismiss teams like New York or Montreal (or even Chicago for that matter). Remember, the Ducks are playing an overachieving Calgary team with spotty goaltending. I still stick with my original prediction of Chicago vs New York Rangers.
- Zogg

Eastern conference is waaaaay slower. We were discussing it today and most thought the ducks will go 16-0, but I think the western final opponent will win 1 or 2 games.

Pilon scored for the Wheat Kings 5-2 Brandon

Not yet he doesnt
- VANTEL

I'm not saying he's in Datsyuk's class but he his very good at stripping the puck off of guys with his stick.

Comets lose 4-3 in OT

Eastern conference is waaaaay slower. We were discussing it today and most thought the ducks will go 16-0, but I think the western final opponent will win 1 or 2 games.
- I-own_da-Northwest

As touched on, I think Anaheim has yet to meet a real 'contender'. It will probably end up being a Chicago Anaheim Western Final, at which point we will see what they are truly made of. But I do agree they've looked excellent thus far.

As far as the conferences go, perhaps in general the teams may be a bit slower (although I think it's tough to gauge) but certain teams (like Montreal for instance) generate good team speed, so I think would match up fairly well against some of the western teams here.

Not yet he doesnt
- VANTEL

Datsyuk is a one in a lifetime kind of player, league of his own at times. I have huge respect for him.

Looking at the past Selke winners and Nominees you can see a pattern that most have been in the finals, won or lost but in the finals. The year Van played Boston, Kesler won. 2014 LA won and Kopitar was nominated.
2013 chicago Toews won the award.
2012 doesn't work. (frank)en LA always (frank)s poop up.
2011 Kesler won van lost in the finals.
2010 doesn't work
2009 Datsyuk Lost in finals
2008 datsyuk won cup.
2007 IDC anahiem sucks
2006 Rod Brind'armour won stanley cup.

You know it's not the best stat ever created or most concrete but you can see that if you have a Selke nominated player that season, your most likely to have a good shot at the cup.

Datsyuk is a one in a lifetime kind of player, league of his own at times. I have huge respect for him.

Looking at the past Selke winners and Nominees you can see a pattern that most have been in the finals, won or lost but in the finals. The year Van played Boston, Kesler won. 2014 LA won and Kopitar was nominated.
2013 chicago Toews won the award.
2012 doesn't work. (frank)en LA always (frank)s poop up.
2011 Kesler won van lost in the finals.
2010 doesn't work
2009 Datsyuk Lost in finals
2008 datsyuk won cup.
2007 IDC anahiem sucks
2006 Rod Brind'armour won stanley cup.

You know it's not the best stat ever created or most concrete but you can see that if you have a Selke nominated player that season, your most likely to have a good shot at the cup.
- manvanfan

I see another imperfect pattern there too. Most of those teams have either a Norris defender or a Vezina goalie or sometimes both.

Sanguinetti scores his 3 Rd of the PO


Is there some reason we didn't see this 6'4 RHD this year?

Comets lose 4-3 in OT
- VANTEL

Riot.

I was supposed to go to the Wheat kings games. Really wanted to see JV play but funeral this afternoon didn't really put me in the mood to go.

Riot.

I was supposed to go to the Wheat kings games. Really wanted to see JV play but funeral this afternoon didn't really put me in the mood to go.
- manvanfan

Funeral?