I don't necessarily think McNabb is a "top pair" defenseman, but he's holding his own playing against other teams' best and earning the big raise he's going to get.

Meanwhile,
We're still looking for a LH top 4 defenseman
And waiting to see IF Fasching will ever make it to the NHL & how good he'll be
My biggest problem with the trade was that Mcnabb was never really goven a chance on the Sabres by Murray. And since we were so horrible, there was nothing to lose by letting him play & finding out what we had.

Sh!tty trade IMO
- jdfitz77

I was bumbed when we lost McNabb. TMGM must really love Fasching because we gave up 2 - 2nds and McNabb for Fasching and Deslauriers. Fasching was a 4th the year before.

Scoring goals is my bigger worry.
- rmiethaner

Auston Matthews

Auston Matthews
- PassionBucket16

Oilers fan logic 6 years running

It's not an eternity, but I also don't give passes for being hurt, it's half a season in and he isn't playing well.

I'm not throwing him off the team, but I'm not happy either
- sbroads24

Of course we all think Kane should be better...
Be he essentially has the same goals per game as Eichel, who you've said is playing well
Yet u say Kane is not?
The chemistry thing is a HUGE deal
U hear players talk about it all the time
His injuries are lengthening that process, as well as constant line juggling

Not trying to make excuses,
Bc if all he ends up being for us is a 23goal per year scorer I'll be upset

I just think you're jumping the gun & judging way too quickly in this case
It's not like he's Girgensons with his goal totals this year

PLUS...
This "down" season will help us extend him this summer at a cheaper price!
And that could be HUGE going forward
(Same with Ennis)

Auston Matthews
- PassionBucket16

I'd go outta my mind if we got Matthews too

C'mon hockey gods...Show us some love!
Hahaha

I'd go outta my mind if we got Matthews too

C'mon hockey gods...Show us some love!
Hahaha
- jdfitz77

Tis the draft year for big wingers, that's for sure. A few of these guys look physically NHL ready as well.

I'm confused what the expectations were for those that are unsatisfied and unhappy with the team.

Surely it was not making the playoffs.

Was it contending for the playoffs? Doubtful with just how truly awful they were the last two years.

Was it being in 20th right now instead of 28th?

Or instead was it simply the optics of the games meaning more 4-3 losses instead of 2-1 losses?

Oilers fan logic 6 years running
- Buffalo--Sabres

One more high pick each of the first 2-3 rounds is the best thing for the team's future long term.

I don't see anything wrong with us getting a top 5 draft choice this year we're slowly going to be a contender but right now we have to focus on the draft and getting the right pieces for the core

They look to be 2 wins and a tie from being 18th overall in the league.

I believe the anger and in some ways panic over the long term future of the team is overblown at this point.

I'm confused what the expectations were for those that are unsatisfied and unhappy with the team.

Surely it was not making the playoffs.

Was it contending for the playoffs? Doubtful with just how truly awful they were the last two years.

Was it being in 20th right now instead of 28th?

Or instead was it simply the optics of the games meaning more 4-3 losses instead of 2-1 losses?
- kingcong39

Optics.
The players who are struggling vs. Then young players who aren't
20th instead of 28th.

Optics.
The players who are struggling vs. Then young players who aren't
20th instead of 28th.
- sbroads24

That is what I thought, with optics specifically meaning Kane, Bogosian, and Lehner due to some hating those deals, with a little Ennis hate thrown in.

I'd be more concerned if I honestly thought the team was going anywhere this season, but I never thought they were. I'm with Goose in that my only hope was to enjoy watching competitive hockey again this year, and for the most part, I've seen that.

Just came back from the club with Tatar Blashill and Danny DeKeyser. We got all tore up drinking shots of Henny with Sizurp chasers. Hope they all get up in time for the game ...

That is what I thought, with optics specifically meaning Kane, Bogosian, and Lehner due to some hating those deals, with a little Ennis hate thrown in.

I'd be more concerned if I honestly thought the team was going anywhere this season, but I never thought they were. I'm with Goose in that my only hope was to enjoy watching competitive hockey again this year, and for the most part, I've seen that.
- kingcong39

A. Not just them, add Moulson, Larsson, Girgensons for most of the year
B. I meant optics as far as us being a low scoring, boring team
C. I have no doubt this team will improve, but as of right now they aren't playing up to their ability

I'm confused what the expectations were for those that are unsatisfied and unhappy with the team.

Surely it was not making the playoffs.

Was it contending for the playoffs? Doubtful with just how truly awful they were the last two years.

Was it being in 20th right now instead of 28th?

Or instead was it simply the optics of the games meaning more 4-3 losses instead of 2-1 losses?
- kingcong39

There were quite a few ppl on here talking playoffs
That was crazy to me
New coach
Major roster turnover
Lots of rookies/young guys

It all added up to a very inconsistent season as the "talent" starts to become a "team"

I understand the impatience...
But it's simply going to take some time

And goalie is still a BIG issue that's up in the air

they drafted and developed Keith and Seabrooks before Kane Toews. When you have 2 Top pairing D with over a 100 AHL games experience and a full year of NHL experience.

After a decade of missing the playoffs and being a dumpster fire team, they collected all the pieces and had them ready for when they added Kane Toews to the fold. It was the perfect storm.

So all the assets and prospects that have been shipped out int he last few trades for you guys, in the hawks case, they were developed and ready to for prime time once they add the elite talent.

Risto is there currently, but other than that, whats the D situation like for you guys? If the pipeline is now tapped out, jumping to the next level might take a bit longer since its now on the hopes that the current core guys progress their games to the next level
- DDM-Coga

In the system on D we have Guhle, who looked pretty good. And Florentino.

The cupboards look bare, but that's because everyone is playing on the big team. Pysyk, McCabe, Reinhart, Eichel, Girgensons, Ristolainen, Kane, O'Reilly, Larsson, Foligno, and Ullmark are all 24 and under and Bogosian who is 25. And those with a good mix of guys who are 21 and under as well, and the wild card in all this Lehner who is only 24. So, again, you have to look at the whole picture, not just say "We're in 28th! Fire everyone! Eichel's a bust because he's not a PPG player at 19! We have no one in the system!".

It's definitely a risky move, but it's a well thought out risky move where the window opens next year, maybe the year after. And we have to hope that everyone pans out. Otherwise it could get ugly, fast. but after decades of being an ultra conservative team, I find it refreshing that Murray has the guts to pull the trigger on those moves, but given the topics usually associated with this thread, a lot of people don't seem to like it.

But in the coming few years the system will be re-stocked so that when the aforementioned players move on we will (hopefully) have guys to step in for them. I can nit-pick like a lot of people. I wasn't thrilled with the NcNabb move, but I really like what Deslauries brings to the team. We overpaid-but not by as much as everyone says- for Kane and Bogosian, but like O'Reilly, getting a guy who is 24 and already has a 30 goal -28 for O'Reilly- season is going to cost ya. There's no such thing as a free lunch. Ya gotta give to get. Pick your colloquialism.

The eye test shows this team is much, much better than the last 2 years, but getting out of a hole that deep takes time. It's not just one step. You have to build a ladder, and then once you actually get out of the hole, you have to climb a damn mountain.

6th rounder Giorgio Estephan is 10th in WHL scoring.

Foligno is suited fine for his fourth line roll and does it well at this point . Perhaps your expectations were too high for a third round pick.

Kane has only had 28 games under a new coach . new system , new town , coming off a pretty major surgery.. I see the tools just needs coaching and maybe a little more maturity on and off the ice . While in Atlanta with Craig
Ramsey I saw what he could be.

Ennis is a little confused with role in new system and injury plagued this season . Again more coaching. He has the tools. Maybe back with Moulson and we can see some of that chemistry they used to have

Gionta . I explained a solution

Moulson I am at a loss what to do. No trade clause , buyout really does not do anything for us. Hoping a line with him Larsson and Ennis might give us something to smile about.

Folks are too quick to be negative and not look for solutions or the positives. This still is the second youngest team in league and would be the youngest by a mile without Gionta or Moulson . It takes time and patience to be a real winner . Look at Chicago. It did not happen overnight there
- Maximum Signal

I really like this post.