Wisniewski, Hjalmarsson, and Byfuglien come to mind. Regardless, no one's arguing Hall is better or on par with Toews. All they're arguing is that, while Toews and Kane signaled the transition into success for the Hawks, they did so at the same time that Keith, Seabrook, and Campbell came in to patrol the defense. The Hawks made smarter and more calculated moves and happened to bottom out at a good time. The Oilers did the opposite.

If we replaced Hall with Toews on the Oilers, the difference would be negligible because the defense still isn't fixed.
- MaximumBone

Should have offered RNH instead of Yak for Gudbranson, Although perhaps they did.... and the panthers liked Jared more

Oh god, look out Vancouver....please don't tell us you're going to change allegiances again and be a canucks supporter.
- Makita

Nope

Flames 4 lyfe

With a shovel?
- smellmyfinger

Twice.

Should have offered RNH instead of Yak for Gudbranson, Although perhaps they did.... and the panthers liked Jared more
- Pres.cup

Nah, we gave up a 4th for Gryba last year and got pretty much what you're gonna get out of Gudbranson. Enjoy the $4mil+ long term contract Benning will undoubtedly sign him to because "leadership". We'll pursue other avenues.

Nah, we gave up a 4th for Gryba last year and got pretty much what you're gonna get out of Gudbranson. Enjoy the $4mil+ long term contract Benning will undoubtedly sign him to because "leadership". We'll pursue other avenues.
- MaximumBone

Your right, if there is one thing that the Oilers have is great depth 1-4 on the blue line, hard nosed players that lead and not wilt.

To be honest you do have one very good up and comer in Nurse, he plays that same, lead by example, never take a shift off, I'll hurt you if you touch one of my guys, style that Guddy does, he's just 4 years younger and a LHD, but you're completely correct, the Oilers don't need anymore players like that...

MaxBone summed it up nicely. Do you think Toews and the Hawks win 3 cups without Wisniewski, Hjalmarsson, Byfuglien, and especially Keith? I don't.
And yes I include Keith since he is arguably the best defenseman in the NHL and went 54th overall. Had anyone known what he was going to become he probably would have went in the top 3 if not 1rst overall that year.
- Wildschwein

Yes because Buff was only there for one and Wisnieskie wasn't with them for any. But your right without Hammer Keith and Seabrook they wouldn't have.

Your right, if there is one thing that the Oilers have is great depth 1-4 on the blue line, hard nosed players that lead and not wilt.

To be honest you do have one very good up and comer in Nurse, he plays that same, lead by example, never take a shift off, I'll hurt you if you touch one of my guys, style that Guddy does, he's just 4 years younger and a LHD, but you're completely correct, the Oilers don't need anymore players like that...
- Pres.cup

Implying he's anything more than a #4 Dman

And I never suggested they don't need Dmen, just that they need a Dman (or rather 2 Dmen) that doesn't get caved in possession-wise every shift and is capable at both ends of the ice.

Yes because Buff was only there for one and Wisnieskie wasn't with them for any. But your right without Hammer Keith and Seabrook they wouldn't have.
- HamiltonHawk

Regardless of how long they were there, the Hawks' ability to draft and develop Dmen became the momentum builder for their subsequent success. The D peaked at the right time and helped boost the arrival of Toews and Kane into the stratosphere and keep 'em up there.

Your right, if there is one thing that the Oilers have is great depth 1-4 on the blue line, hard nosed players that lead and not wilt.

To be honest you do have one very good up and comer in Nurse, he plays that same, lead by example, never take a shift off, I'll hurt you if you touch one of my guys, style that Guddy does, he's just 4 years younger and a LHD, but you're completely correct, the Oilers don't need anymore players like that...
- Pres.cup

Middle- low pairing physical guys?
No, we really don't

Gryba- Davidson - nurse

A guy like gudbranson is far from the top of our list of needs

We need better defenders than him

Implying he's anything more than a #4 Dman

And I never suggested they don't need Dmen, just that they need a Dman (or rather 2 Dmen) that doesn't get caved in possession-wise every shift and is capable at both ends of the ice.
- MaximumBone

Exactly this

He's on buddies fav team now, so all of a sudden he's far better than what he's shown over the last half decade

Yes, the oilers need defenders. But more 4-6 guys aren't what we're looking for

Yes because Buff was only there for one and Wisnieskie wasn't with them for any. But your right without Hammer Keith and Seabrook they wouldn't have.
- HamiltonHawk

Yeah I had a bit of a brain fart with Wiz.
And while Buff was only around for one, he was a HUGE factor in the Hawks winning that one. I'm not sure you guys get past Pronger and the Flyers without him.

Middle- low pairing physical guys?
No, we really don't

Gryba- Davidson - nurse

A guy like gudbranson is far from the top of our list of needs

We need better defenders than him
- HB77

I'd have taken him on for the right price.
Not for what Van paid however.

I'd have taken him on for the right price.
Not for what Van paid however.
- Wildschwein

Me too

If they're willing to turn around and trade him for a mediocre pick or a secondary prospect - I'm game

Just gave my notice at work. Stoked.

Heading back to Vancouver start of August to drink and jerk off for a month. Then back to the safety of university in September.
So much better than the real world

Yay me

Edit; And go flames
- HB77

One of life's great pleasures is giving notice at work. Did it alot in my life because most jobs turn into complete boredom if you stay too long. Did it for the last time when I turned 55 and life has never been better. Congrats and good luck.

Hall had terrible backchecking at Worlds. Brutal. Probably all the explaination needed regarding him getting snubbed.

I’m sorry, but anyone who can make the EDMONTON OILERS a respectably competitive club just by stepping onto the ice belongs on Team Canada. I don’t even know why I would talk about anything else. When people make up fake arguments about Hall’s lack of two way play, point them in the direction of that stat. To claim he isn’t a good two way player is bizarre and lazy.

Hall had terrible backchecking at Worlds. Brutal. Probably all the explaination needed regarding him getting snubbed.




- fry

Go home Fry, you're drunk.

I'd have taken him on for the right price.
Not for what Van paid however.
- Wildschwein

You'd of loved him for Yak and a second.
Guddy is exactly what the oil need, Whats your RHD depth chart look like? And sorry but Guddy > Gybra, Davidson and (for now) Nurse

I like the oilers but they don't need more top end players, they need decent high character middle line role players to help all the high end youngsters on the roster, when they address that need they will be a scary team to play.

You'd of loved him for Yak and a second.
Guddy is exactly what the oil need, Whats your RHD depth chart look like? And sorry but Guddy > Gybra, Davidson and (for now) Nurse

I like the oilers but they don't need more top end players, they need decent high character middle line role players to help all the high end youngsters on the roster, when they address that need they will be a scary team to play.
- Pres.cup

I'd have taken a swing with Yak. Both players haven't lived up to expectations but both might turn it around yet.
No 2nd though.

I'd have taken a swing with Yak. Both players haven't lived up to expectations but both might turn it around yet.
No 2nd though.
- Wildschwein

You should of. who's the last impact player the Oil have drafted in the 2nd round? Yak is redundant and won't resign so you may as well dump him and draft tkachuk

You should of. who's the last impact player the Oil have drafted in the 2nd round? Yak is redundant and won't resign so you may as well dump him and draft tkachuk
- Pres.cup

Not high on him. I worry his line mates are making him look better than he really is.
Would rather Chia flips the pick.

Not high on him. I worry his line mates are making him look better than he really is.
Would rather Chia flips the pick.
- Wildschwein

Or is he making his linemates look better? There are several articles and analytic based charts that suggest that he is. I still dump Yak for Cam barker

I'd have taken a swing with Yak. Both players haven't lived up to expectations but both might turn it around yet.
No 2nd though.
- Wildschwein

Maybe. But certainly no 2nd

We need puck movers and big minute munchers against tough competition. Not middle to low physical guys that have brutal metrics

Or is he making his linemates look better? There are several articles and analytic based charts that suggest that he is. I still dump Yak for Cam barker
- Pres.cup

Now you're just being obtuse.

Maybe. But certainly no 2nd

We need puck movers and big minute munchers against tough competition. Not middle to low physical guys that have brutal metrics
- HB77

Tis a gamble for sure. But I'd still deal Yak for him.

Now you're just being obtuse.
- Wildschwein

Davidson > gudbranson in everything but name power