I am in. If the lottery would have been more kinda I would say no. But they need they have some pretty serious holes to plug over the next 2 years.
- DuranDuran

Exactly. Getting a guy like Niemi would do a few things. 1st off, a deal doesn't get done unless it costs next to nothing to do and it comes with a player that actually helps long term, like a Nichushkin. Niemi should provide league avg. goaltending which should help our guys compete. We're realistically not cup contenders for at least 2 more years so if he poops the bed in the playoffs, should we make them, it's not that big of a deal. With only 2 years it a) allows us to expose him in the expansion draft if need be and b) we can buy out his last year if he's not drafted and we find a better goalie next summer when teams now become desperate to unload one of their really good goaltenders that they fear they'll lose for nothing.

Exactly. Getting a guy like Niemi would do a few things. 1st off, a deal doesn't get done unless it costs next to nothing to do and it comes with a player that actually helps long term, like a Nichushkin. Niemi should provide league avg. goaltending which should help our guys compete. We're realistically not cup contenders for at least 2 more years so if he poops the bed in the playoffs, should we make them, it's not that big of a deal. With only 2 years it a) allows us to expose him in the expansion draft if need be and b) we can buy out his last year if he's not drafted and we find a better goalie next summer when teams now become desperate to unload one of their really good goaltenders that they fear they'll lose for nothing.
- TandA4Flames

We already have that (sorta)... one avg goalie for another??? no thanks.
I'm soundly ANTI-Niemi

Anyone interested in Kerby Rychel with one of our seconds? As far as I remember he was demanding a trade last year?

Anyone interested in Kerby Rychel with one of our seconds? As far as I remember he was demanding a trade last year?
- Yeah...Baby

I would say hells yes.

Anyone interested in Kerby Rychel with one of our seconds? As far as I remember he was demanding a trade last year?
- Yeah...Baby

Thats because he wasn't getting a shot in the N but he started playing the 2nd half of the year and looked great and with them trading Johansen I think he is off the table now

Thats because he wasn't getting a shot in the N but he started playing the 2nd half of the year and looked great and with them trading Johansen I think he is off the table now
- bigbear89

Did they not send him back down to the A? Look at the current BJ blog, the blogger gave out grades to all their players. As I recall he was not impressed with Kirby, he got a D. Trade bait

Morning all.
I was really hoping the Flames were going to get Dallas's 1st round pick as that would have been a prime trading chip for some immediate goaltending help but that opportunity is gone so I was thinking about some trade options that might work.

Detroit:

Howard
Jurco
Pulkkinen or Mantha


for

2016 2nd round Pick #53
2016 2nd round Pick #55
Wideman with half his salary retained
Kulak
- buddy_doug

Take out Jurco and include both Pulkkinen and Mantha and I'm seriously considering. Retaining only 1 million on Wideman's contract and I think I pull the trigger. Thats a good deal on both sides IMO. Nice work on that trade.

Take out Jurco and include both Pulkkinen and Mantha and I'm seriously considering. Retaining only 1 million on Wideman's contract and I think I pull the trigger. Thats a good deal on both sides IMO. Nice work on that trade.
- JallHockey

So can anyone comment what kind of coach Yeo is?

So can anyone comment what kind of coach Yeo is?
- cpltanto

Just a few notes as it's hard to sum up a whole system in a paragraph:

-He uses the cycle to generate offence down low. Has upset heavy cycle teams like Chicago in the playoffs with a strong counter-cycle game.

-He uses the Umbrella during the powerplay. Slots Vanek in a periphery spot on the left half boards.

-Tends to have a 3-4 man trap (1-1-3 or 2-1-2) when the puck is going the other way. Stable, but requires more effort on the backcheck from the other two players to make this effective. Parise is the best backchecker in the league though, so do what you will with that info.

-Generates more offence off the rush than Hartley. If there is gonna be a stretch pass, it will more likely be up to just before the red line. Then he'll have two/three lanes filled in order to be ready to cycle if the puck gets turned over, as well as to offer 2-3 options for the puck holder (depending on if a defense has jumped in).

That's about all that comes to mind at the moment. He might just have a more appropriate, different system for a team that doesn't include Suter and Parise.

Just a few notes as it's hard to sum up a whole system in a paragraph:

-He uses the cycle to generate offence down low. Has upset heavy cycle teams like Chicago in the playoffs with a strong counter-cycle game.

-He uses the Umbrella during the powerplay. Slots Vanek in a periphery spot on the left half boards.

-Tends to have a 3-4 man trap (1-1-3 or 2-1-2) when the puck is going the other way. Stable, but requires more effort on the backcheck from the other two players to make this effective. Parise is the best backchecker in the league though, so do what you will with that info.

-Generates more offence off the rush than Hartley. If there is gonna be a stretch pass, it will more likely be up to just before the red line. Then he'll have two/three lanes filled in order to be ready to cycle if the puck gets turned over, as well as to offer 2-3 options for the puck holder (depending on if a defense has jumped in).

That's about all that comes to mind at the moment. He might just have a more appropriate, different system for a team that doesn't include Suter and Parise.
- fry

Sweet thanks... Is this from watching them alot or copied from a Minny fan?
Also how does he utilize the bench.... Is he more a veteran coach or likes to use youth and speed?

Is he a hard as like iron Mike or more a players coach?

Sweet thanks... Is this from watching them alot or copied from a Minny fan?
Also how does he utilize the bench.... Is he more a veteran coach or likes to use youth and speed?

Is he a hard as like iron Mike or more a players coach?
- cpltanto

Just from catching Wild games over the last few years and watching them when they made the playoffs.

He seems like he's pretty merit based. Not too much bias between younger and older players. Once in a while Vanek's play would go to sh*t and he'd keep his minutes up to let him play through it. Costed the Wild lots of wins over the years. lol

Not sure if he's tough like Mike. Sounds like he was a respected, cerebral coach that lost his room after a few years. No mind games.

I'm baaaaack!!!!

I'm baaaaack!!!!
- Jeropotato

What up 'tater!

What up 'tater!
- TandA4Flames

Oh, just getting ready for another disappointing off season.

As far as how Yeo handles his players, or at least how he handled them with the Wild, don't be surprised to see him coddle the veteran players by giving them the most ice time whether they deserve it or not. He also stifled the development of some of the young guys as well by limiting ice time even when they clearly deserved to get more.

As far as how Yeo handles his players, or at least how he handled them with the Wild, don't be surprised to see him coddle the veteran players by giving them the most ice time whether they deserve it or not. He also stifled the development of some of the young guys as well by limiting ice time even when they clearly deserved to get more.
- Isojoki

Sounds pretty old school.

Oh, just getting ready for another disappointing off season.
- Jeropotato

Ask your parents how to deal with disappointment......pretty sure they are used to it.

Oh, just getting ready for another disappointing off season.
- Jeropotato

Good for you bro. Keeping it real.

So where've you been?

Good for you bro. Keeping it real.

So where've you been?
- TandA4Flames

I got one of those bans they give to the Oilers posters on a regular basis . As for keeping it real, that's all I do. The fact is the Oilers core as a unit doesn't work. As individuals they are fine players but they don't compliment each other well enough IMO, and changes need to be made. Get rid of at least one of Hall ( hope not) RNH or Eberle.Yak is a bust. We need a top pair RH D-Man, and a 2nd pair RH D as well. We don't really need our draft pick unless we are replacing one our forwards .

PC won't be able to get it done. Oilers will be a bottom 10 team next year.

I got one of those bans they give to the Oilers posters on a regular basis . As for keeping it real, that's all I do. The fact is the Oilers core as a unit doesn't work. As individuals they are fine players but they don't compliment each other well enough IMO, and changes need to be made. Get rid of at least one of Hall ( hope not) RNH or Eberle.Yak is a bust. We need a top pair RH D-Man, and a 2nd pair RH D as well. We don't really need our draft pick unless we are replacing one our forwards .

PC won't be able to get it done. Oilers will be a bottom 10 team next year.
- Jeropotato

I think Chia will make some big moves. Something has to give.

I think Hall is gone. It has been his team and I think the return of the messiah allows for the ability to move Hall. It will be coined as a retool.

Oil need an identity. I think Chia will start moulding one.

you're back! Thank God, I really wanted to arrange a meet up so I could suck your Richard!
- DuranDuran

No thanks.

No thanks.
- Jeropotato

Good to have you back buddy.

I think Chia will make some big moves. Something has to give.

I think Hall is gone. It has been his team and I think the return of the messiah allows for the ability to move Hall. It will be coined as a retool.

Oil need an identity. I think Chia will start moulding one.
- DuranDuran

I have no problem moving Hall for a legit #1 D man. Anything less would be a waste of a high quality asset that actually contributes.

Good to have you back buddy.
- DuranDuran

I got one of those bans they give to the Oilers posters on a regular basis . As for keeping it real, that's all I do. The fact is the Oilers core as a unit doesn't work. As individuals they are fine players but they don't compliment each other well enough IMO, and changes need to be made. Get rid of at least one of Hall ( hope not) RNH or Eberle.Yak is a bust. We need a top pair RH D-Man, and a 2nd pair RH D as well. We don't really need our draft pick unless we are replacing one our forwards .

PC won't be able to get it done. Oilers will be a bottom 10 team next year.
- Jeropotato

In all seriousness I think it might actually have something to do with too many 1st overalls. Remember when Sather 1st went to the Rangers and he started bringing in all those high priced all stars. That team was totally dysfunctional. To many alpha males all thinking they're the best and should have the puck. Too many 'cocks' in the roost in EDM.