I think an addition along the lines of Kane might make a lot of sense in that regard. Maybe not Kane, but a young player along those lines. Maybe take advantage of the questions surrounding Hoffman in Ottawa and snatch him up for a discount. It'd give Horvat a running mate to maybe help make him that 50 point guy the roster could use.
- MaximumBone

We had 40 goals leave this off-season

& added 34 goals this off-season

You hope that the euro's and young prospects can improve you enough to make up for the difference and then some.

I'm fully aware of the progressive injection on youth into the lineup, but I just don't see the guys you've added as substantial enough offensive talents. Baertschi is a solid bet at a 15 goal scorer (possibly 20 if things go well) and Bo is trending towards being a capable 2C, but I doubt he's suddenly gonna breakout and become a 60 point guy. Sutter's never been all that gifted offensively and Rodin and Etem are still very much in question. The guy primed for the biggest jump is Virtanen and 30-35 would represent a substantial leap.

What you're neglecting to mention when discussing your young players is the fact that development is usually non-linear. As a prime example, a highly touted top-10 pick in Magnus Paajarvi went from scoring 30 points as a rookie to playing in the AHL for most of the next two years.

On Arizona, I'm not stating they're anything competitive as they're still banking on Smith (or Domingue) as their starter and awful scoring depth, but Goligoski is very solid #2 and will take a serious load off OEL's back. They still managed to stay somewhat in the mix for most of the year despite having a worse roster. They seem to work miracles with what they have. Add Strome and Dvorak at forward and I think there's precedent for some steps forward.
- MaximumBone

Oh I'm not neglecting to mention it - its precisely my point actually - given the amount of youth and mid-age players (25-30) in our lineup - I agree with you that a couple players could have dips in production/development BUT certainly not all - and the positives/progressions highly & ultimately outweigh the regression (non linear you speak of) - and there in lies the overall improvement.

The issue is - on a team like yours - The Oilers - given the fact that there has been TOO MUCH youth and has never been enough balance/poor development/terrible management you're not used to seeing proper development thus equalling your pessimistic attitude.

Oh I'm not neglecting to mention it - its precisely my point actually - given the amount of youth and mid-age players (25-30) in our lineup - I agree with you that a couple players could have dips in production/development BUT certainly not all - and the positives/progressions highly & ultimately outweigh the regression (non linear you speak of) - and there in lies the overall improvement.

The issue is - on a team like yours - The Oilers - given the fact that there has been TOO MUCH youth and has never been enough balance/poor development/terrible management you're not used to seeing proper development thus equalling your pessimistic attitude.
- Brooks_Light

I list the Oilers because they're my childhood team. I follow the Red Wings just as much (more if you factor time watched during the playoffs) so sorry, but that argument doesn't hold up. Pulkkinen and Sheahan are other great recent examples of non-linear development and this is out of one of the best drafting and developing teams of the modern era. My skepticism comes from years of seeing players who're "supposed" to breakout fail to do so.

We had 40 goals leave this off-season

& added 34 goals this off-season

You hope that the euro's and young prospects can improve you enough to make up for the difference and then some.
- classic321

You'd hope so and it's certainly not out of the realm of possibility, but it's also possible that neither Eriksson nor Hansen repeat their high shooting percentages from this past year. Regression to their averages drops Hansen down 9 goals and Eriksson down 5 goals.

Regardless of differing opinions, I appreciate the opposing perspectives. Thanks for the responses

I see a 25-30 more goals this season.
PP only can get better.
Eriksson will be himself.
The kids & D will contribute more goals overall.
The Sedins r not slowing down.

You'd hope so and it's certainly not out of the realm of possibility, but it's also possible that neither Eriksson nor Hansen repeat their high shooting percentages from this past year. Regression to their averages drops Hansen down 9 goals and Eriksson down 5 goals.
- MaximumBone

I agree

You guys aren't in the same boat, JP, McDavid & Lucic should make up Hall.

We don't have that high end talent coming in to make up for it. God I wish we got one of those 3 lottery spots.

I agree

You guys aren't in the same boat, JP, McDavid & Lucic should make up Hall.

We don't have that high end talent coming in to make up for it. God I wish we got one of those 3 lottery spots.
- classic321

Can't dwell on the past, the good news is there is another lottery next year.

I agree

You guys aren't in the same boat, JP, McDavid & Lucic should make up Hall.

We don't have that high end talent coming in to make up for it. God I wish we got one of those 3 lottery spots.
- classic321

I can see some drop off on offense. Leon lost his regular linemate who also happened to be an elite winger so there's likely some drop off there, Lucic will bring something like 20 goals, and Puljujarvi isn't likely a big offensive producer until the end of his ELC (ala Barkov).

I'm hoping the McDavid effect with mitigate all that, but the biggest thing that'll lead to more offense is the health of the team- primarily the D corps. If Klefbom, Larsson, and Sekera can stay mostly healthy, the team will actually be capable of breaking out of the Dzone. That'll be a vast improvement to relying on Fayne, Gryba, and underdeveloped guys like Nurse and Reinhart most of the year.

I agree

You guys aren't in the same boat, JP, McDavid & Lucic should make up Hall.

We don't have that high end talent coming in to make up for it. God I wish we got one of those 3 lottery spots.
- classic321

I'm also of the mind that after adding Juolevi Vancouver is pretty much just one elite offensive talent away from having a very bright future. Ideally that player comes in the form of a C. A lottery win bringing you guys Nolan Patrick would do a whole lot.

I list the Oilers because they're my childhood team. I follow the Red Wings just as much (more if you factor time watched during the playoffs) so sorry, but that argument doesn't hold up. Pulkkinen and Sheahan are other great recent examples of non-linear development and this is out of one of the best drafting and developing teams of the modern era. My skepticism comes from years of seeing players who're "supposed" to breakout fail to do so.
- MaximumBone

My argument is like Alcatraz bud - rock solid, if you're to stubborn to process/accept it thats on you. And tho i admit i'm bias to my team - its not rocket science to analyze the lineup and determine the players/point production will improve and the defence/goaltending should allow less goals. I will however say - this is pending we don't have the same amount of injuries as last year.

Pulkkinen is a bad example cus he missed more than half the season but was actually showing improvement before the injury. Sheahan - not only did he deal with a nagging upper body injury all year, but was mainly on a line with Richards and Nyquist - not exactly the best linemates as well as not getting much PP time and being forced to play a bigger role (like Horvat) to fill in for injuries - which isn't ideal for development.

For the first time this year, I'm watching a Blue Jays game...go A's

My argument is like Alcatraz bud - rock solid, if you're to stubborn to process/accept it thats on you. And tho i admit i'm bias to my team - its not rocket science to analyze the lineup and determine the players/point production will improve and the defence/goaltending should allow less goals. I will however say - this is pending we don't have the same amount of injuries as last year.

Pulkkinen is a bad example cus he missed more than half the season but was actually showing improvement before the injury. Sheahan - not only did he deal with a nagging upper body injury all year, but was mainly on a line with Richards and Nyquist - not exactly the best linemates as well as not getting much PP time and being forced to play a bigger role (like Horvat) to fill in for injuries - which isn't ideal for development.
- Brooks_Light

Your argument is that my opinion on development is invalid or inherently flawed because I follow the Oilers (as if I don't follow any other teams). By that token, your opinion on drafting or developing holds no ground because the Canucks had been god awful at it since 2005. Spending high picks on such elite talents as Schroeder, Sauve, Jensen, Gaunce, Hodgson, Ellington, and White.

A person's preference of team doesn't discredit or devalue their opinions in any way shape or form.

My opinion (worthless) on the Oilers, they'll be much improved this year. Not playoff improved, but much improved.

My opinion (worthless) on the Oilers, they'll be much improved this year. Not playoff improved, but much improved.
- LeftCoaster

I refuse to suggest they'll be anything more than a low-end bubble team. As much as I'd love to see some playoff hockey, the years of stupidly high expectations among media has jaded me a tad. At least the roster has some semblance of balance now! As long as the PP improves and the team defense tightens a bit, I'm sure they'll be great fun to watch (thanks primarily to McDavid and Klefbom).

I refuse to suggest they'll be anything more than a low-end bubble team. As much as I'd love to see some playoff hockey, the years of stupidly high expectations among media has jaded me a tad. At least the roster has some semblance of balance now! As long as the PP improves and the team defense tightens a bit, I'm sure they'll be great fun to watch (thanks primarily to McDavid and Klefbom).
- MaximumBone

The team is still really young, they've had to deal with four coaches in the past five years, progress will be made....finally!

Who gives a flying f*ck about the Oilers?
Garbage team full of pillow biters.

Who gives a flying f*ck about the Oilers?
Garbage team full of pillow biters.
- Marwood

I actually laughed out loud...

My wife is yelling from the bedroom asking me if Im okay

I actually laughed out loud...

My wife is yelling from the bedroom asking me if Im okay
- kevingram

Who gives a flying f*ck about the Oilers?
Garbage team full of pillow biters.
- Marwood

Stockpile low?

Challenge!!

HEY REGS...

Can someone help me....

I am up in the Okanagan and do not get TSN but have WIFI. I want to watch the BC Lions game tomorrow. Does anyone have an online link to stream TSN?

Thanks everyone.

Id say Van improved the most actually. Got rid of riffraff like Bart, Weber, Hamhuis - Then added size and strength with Gudbranson, Tram (full season ahead), and puck mover in Larsen - then Stetcher, Juolevi and Brisebois coming down the pipe. I think the D has been given a complete make over, quickly & positively.

I think what you don't realize is that Van have been injecting youth into the lineup for a few years now so players like Bo, Sven, Hutton, ETem, Granlund & Virt (BTW WILL NOT STARTING IN UTICA - Gaunce WILL BE) like any young player will trend upward and show improvement. Hopefully, Sutter can stay healthy and players like Rodin, EriKsson will be more effective than Vrbata, Higgins, Vey & Prust. This team has made significant strides in getting younger, faster, tougher and shed terrible contracts.

BTW - How did Arizona got better? By taking on Datsuks contract to go along with Prongers?
No offence chief but Goligoski and McGinn are not lead that shameful franchise thats not even worthy of a team to the promise land.
- Brooks_Light

Nice post Son

Saaaaaaaaaaafe

We had 40 goals leave this off-season

& added 34 goals this off-season

You hope that the euro's and young prospects can improve you enough to make up for the difference and then some.
- classic321

Holy (frank) you are negative. Explain how we only added 34 goals. What in the (frank)