I really hope Sweeney has a mid range plan for next year, as well as a master plan.
- Tachmo

It would be nice to get an outline of the big picture.......if there is one.

It would be nice to get an outline of the big picture.......if there is one.
- dothedougie

there is. of course there is. this is big business. now that doesn't mean the plan is a good one or that it can be pulled off.

there is. of course there is. this is big business. now that doesn't mean the plan is a good one or that it can be pulled off.
- Fountain-San

This is great phrasing to perfectly describe this season. And the draft. Love it.


If their plan was mediocrity to the point of putting fans to sleep then bravo, mission (frank)ing accomplished.

This is great phrasing to perfectly describe this season. And the draft. Love it.


If their plan was mediocrity to the point of putting fans to sleep then bravo, mission (frank)ing accomplished.
- dothedougie

there is. of course there is. this is big business. now that doesn't mean the plan is a good one or that it can be pulled off.
- Fountain-San

The team is searching for an identity in my opinion. Neely said the team must get bigger and tougher at some point near the end of last season. Then they trade Lucic away, which kinda shocked me. They did get a huge return for Lucic though. I can't see Lucic getting a prospect and 2 first rounders at the trade deadline. So that is a pretty big win for Sweeney.

This year they really are a team that isn't hard to play against. They don't seem to stack up well against fast teams as well as heavy teams. So not really sure what they are. They really need to get some help on D and I think things would sort itself out real quick.

This team as is, needs a top line scoring winger (scoring depth), a top pairing D-man, and another top 3 D-man.

That's before and if they trade Eriksson.

To be a contender, in my opinion, those are the 3 holes. Don't think that is an unrealistic opinion.

Also, other than Spooner, which young kid has gotten better this season? Brain game, what would the D look like next season that would be an improvements?

Chara - Free Agent
Seidenberg - C. Miller
Krug - Mquaid

Trotman and Morrow are not signed I guess. I really don't think that will be any better than the D these season.............it's almost the same thing and it's been the same thing for THREE years if they go that way.

This team as is, needs a top line scoring winger (scoring depth), a top pairing D-man, and an other top 3 D-man.

That's before and if they trade Eriksson.

To be a contender, in my opinion, those are the 3 holes.
- JIwasinskiJr

to me the three holes are vag, butt and mouth.

to me the three holes are vag, butt and mouth.
- Fountain-San

That was really really funny.

Some posts on this board present facts, observations and an attempt to support opinions.

Others.......well. Ugh

That was really really funny.

Some posts on this board present facts, observations and an attempt to support opinions.

Others.......well. Ugh
- JIwasinskiJr

You listen to Felger.

to me the three holes are vag, butt and mouth.
- Fountain-San

The team is searching for an identity in my opinion. Neely said the team must get bigger and tougher at some point near the end of last season. Then they trade Lucic away, which kinda shocked me. They did get a huge return for Lucic though. I can't see Lucic getting a prospect and 2 first rounders at the trade deadline. So that is a pretty big win for Sweeney.

This year they really are a team that isn't hard to play against. They don't seem to stack up well against fast teams as well as heavy teams. So not really sure what they are. They really need to get some help on D and I think things would sort itself out real quick.
- Tachmo

You're way too negative and you're overreacting. Nice pity party.

This team as is, needs a top line scoring winger (scoring depth), a top pairing D-man, and another top 3 D-man.

That's before and if they trade Eriksson.

To be a contender, in my opinion, those are the 3 holes. Don't think that is an unrealistic opinion.

Also, other than Spooner, which young kid has gotten better this season? Brain game, what would the D look like next season that would be an improvements?

Chara - Free Agent
Seidenberg - C. Miller
Krug - Mquaid

Trotman and Morrow are not signed I guess. I really don't think that will be any better than the D these season.............it's almost the same thing and it's been the same thing for THREE years if they go that way.
- JIwasinskiJr

I agree, those are the holes.

That D looks way better to me then this year, given that Free Agent or Player x would be a top pairing defenceman. Every other Dman's roles now get slightly diminished including assignments and minutes. Trotman isn't in the top pairing. Chara is not left out to dry (we don't need to discuss Chara, lol) Krug and Seidenberg are put in better roles, etc...

Assuming Louie is gone, this team needs to find a capable top 6. Outside of Bergeron, Marchand, Krejci and Pastranak, somebody has to step up. Connolly isn't producing the point totals everyone would like to see, but he is doing an ok job with Bergeron/Marchand. He should be a cheap signing that plays top 6.
If Belesky can't play in the top 6, that signing is a huge mistake.

So in my opinion and to agree with you, we need a top line RW. Can Spooner not transform to the wing like they have dabbled with.

That was really really funny.

Some posts on this board present facts, observations and an attempt to support opinions.

Others.......well. Ugh
- JIwasinskiJr

Enjoy the ride. We are about to become the oilers of the past 8 or so years. Except we trade that talent away instead of hoarding it.

I agree, those are the holes.

That D looks way better to me then this year, given that Free Agent or Player x would be a top pairing defenceman. Every other Dman's roles now get slightly diminished including assignments and minutes. Trotman isn't in the top pairing. Chara is not left out to dry (we don't need to discuss Chara, lol) Krug and Seidenberg are put in better roles, etc...

Assuming Louie is gone, this team needs to find a capable top 6. Outside of Bergeron, Marchand, Krejci and Pastranak, somebody has to step up. Connolly isn't producing the point totals everyone would like to see, but he is doing an ok job with Bergeron/Marchand. He should be a cheap signing that plays top 6.
If Belesky can't play in the top 6, that signing is a huge mistake.

So in my opinion and to agree with you, we need a top line RW. Can Spooner not transform to the wing like they have dabbled with.
- Tachmo

THIS, among other things.

Enjoy the ride. We are about to become the oilers of the past 8 or so years. Except we trade that talent away instead of hoarding it.
- dothedougie

Krejci for Klinkhammer, Lander and Pouliot.

Enjoy the ride. We are about to become the oilers of the past 8 or so years. Except we trade that talent away instead of hoarding it.
- dothedougie

really the Oilers? how do you figure?

Krejci for Klinkhammer, Lander and Pouliot.
- One_Eyed_Sweede

Pastrnak and Colin Miller for Winnik and Polak

really the Oilers? how do you figure?
- Tachmo

Was over exaggerating a point there. Was referencing management and how they are deciding to hire the "good ol' boys" that used to play on the team, and the fact that their plan really doesn't seem transparent. The vision of the team will be flawed from the beginning. That was the case for Oilers. Poor management, and an even worse team structure. Top to bottom it was a poop show. We have our poor management, just waiting for the team construct to catch up.

Pastrnak and Colin Miller for Winnik and Polak
- dothedougie

Add Aulie or GTFO

Add Aulie or GTFO
- One_Eyed_Sweede

Maybe we can dump McQuaid on them then?

Maybe we can dump McQuaid on them then?
- dothedougie

tl;dr IMO TBH

tl;dr IMO TBH
- One_Eyed_Sweede

Dont forget Marchand is going to be a 30 goal scorers. Remember what has happened to every 30 goal scorer since Neely......traded or let go for various reasons.


Bergeron the exception

Dont forget Marchand is going to be a 30 goal scorers. Remember what has happened to every 30 goal scorer since Neely......traded or let go for various reasons.
- dothedougie

He's gone. Off ice issues. Gives too much of a (frank) during games.

Marchand to Van for a bunch of soft mediocre crap because Jim Benning.

Was over exaggerating a point there. Was referencing management and how they are deciding to hire the "good ol' boys" that used to play on the team, and the fact that their plan really doesn't seem transparent. The vision of the team will be flawed from the beginning. That was the case for Oilers. Poor management, and an even worse team structure. Top to bottom it was a poop show. We have our poor management, just waiting for the team construct to catch up.
- dothedougie

I see!

I think Pete will look to make some major changes in Edm this offseason. Yes the good ol boys was a huge problem there.

I really hope that isn't the case in Boston, but it is looking that way. I have faith for now, but I think Sweeney has a small window to fill the holes before he is crucified.

It sure is a small circle it seems in Boston and if you are square peg trying to fit into the round hole you are done. Round pegs - Kessel, Seguin, Hamilton. To me that is really what happened, these players don't fit it and instead of working with them we just kick them out the door. It really makes me question the scouting staff if management keeps saying they either disliked playing in Bos or they aren't mature, it sure would be nice to do some better interviews or background checks before the draft?

He's gone. Off ice issues. Gives too much of a (frank) during games.

Marchand to Van for a bunch of soft mediocre crap because Jim Benning.
- One_Eyed_Sweede

Chris Higgins sounds like a solid addition. I can see the press conference now. " I think we got real value in this deal"