Only problem for you guys is A LOT will be expected from Severson.
- EdmHockeyMan

Our defense is a mess, I didn't understand allowing Schlemko to walk. He was one of the few defenders able to inject some offense, especially on the PP.

As it stands right now, one of Santini, Auvitu or Gormley is likely going to be in the top 6.

Have to think a few PTOs will be handed out before camp.

A) Watch the YT videos of Edmonton oiler fans in the streets and downtown during the '06 playoffs, and look at the crowds during the 06' playoffs. So something like that.

B) If Hall was going to get "fair" value, it would have been for Subban. Everybody knows that, especially since they were traded minutes apart from each other. Hell even pietrangelo would have been great value for Hall. However, we got Larsson instead. Nothing you can do at this point, but be positive and look forward.

Edit: I for one, an OKAY with the Larsson-Hall trade. I made a massive argument about it on a blog 1-2 months ago. Larsson is something that Edmonton needed DESPERATELY.

Edit #2: This not to say that I don't think it was an over-payment, but it was a NECESSARY MOVE to make this team better.
- EdmHockeyMan

I spent 7 years in Edmonton - love the city, love the people...... almost as much as I enjoy banter with your fans

Our defense is a mess, I didn't understand allowing Schlemko to walk. He was one of the few defenders able to inject some offense, especially on the PP.

As it stands right now, one of Santini, Auvitu or Gormley is likely going to be in the top 6.

Have to think a few PTOs will be handed out before camp.
- Mr.Bobby

Girardi for Hall

In a vacuum it doesn't look great but when you look at both teams needs, I think its an even trade where both teams benefit.
- mdw7413

Except that the oilers were also really poopty at scoring...and we have away our best scorer. So no it doesn't even out.

Girardi for Hall
- mdw7413

Merrill for Nash

Except that the oilers were also really poopty at scoring...and we have away our best scorer. So no it doesn't even out.
- Iggysbff

Iggy, you think the team will be better this year? If the Oilers are better would you change your mind on the trade? I know you didn't like the trade from day 1.

Merrill for Nash
- Mr.Bobby

Nash is going to kill it this year.

Except that the oilers were also really poopty at scoring...and we have away our best scorer. So no it doesn't even out.
- Iggysbff

That's OK, we have McDavid now... Him for hopefully more than 45 games, Lucic, and Puljujarvi should make the loss of Hall bearable.

And the offence was bad because they had to cover for their sh1tty d, and there was nobody to make an outlet pass to our forwards... We still need someone who can do that. Hopefully Klefbom and Davidson do not miss half the season again... And I think Larsson has offensive potential as well.

That's OK, we have McDavid now... Him for hopefully more than 45 games, Lucic, and the Puljujarvi should make the loss of Hall bearable.

And the offence was bad because they had to cover for their sh1tty d, and there was nobody to make an outlet pass to our forwards... We still need someone who can do that. Hopefully Klefbom and Davidson do not miss half the season again... Adam I think Larsson has offensive potential as well.
- laughs2907

No mention of Draisaitl?

He was mentioned on our board everyday this summer.

Except that the oilers were also really poopty at scoring...and we have away our best scorer. So no it doesn't even out.
- Iggysbff

To score goals, you have to clear the puck out of your own zone. If you have a bad defense, as evident by the last 7-10 years, of course a team will be poopty at scoring since they can't even clear the puck out of their own zone! How many times have we been caught in our own zone for far too long? Way too many times to count!

Defense is a fundamental pillar of structure, TRANSITION, and team play. Without a proper defensive structure in place, do not expect that team to at the top of the league in scoring/offense, even if they have a McDavid.

Except that the oilers were also really poopty at scoring...and we have away our best scorer. So no it doesn't even out.
- Iggysbff

And what do you reckon is the biggest issue inhibiting our scoring? Could it not be a complete and utter inability to get out of the Drone consistently? We lost 65-75 points from Hall and maybe 10-20 from Leon and added Lucic's 50-60 and Larsson's 20ish while likely getting another 40 out of a healthy McDavid and 15-20 from another Klefbom. That's excluding the added offensive opportunity that might be given to others in Halls absence.

And what do you reckon is the biggest issue inhibiting our scoring? Could it not be a complete and utter inability to get out of the Drone consistently? We lost 65-75 points from Hall and maybe 10-20 from Leon and added Lucic's 50-60 and Larsson's 20ish while likely getting another 40 out of a healthy McDavid and 15-20 from another Klefbom. That's excluding the added offensive opportunity that might be given to others in Halls absence.
- MaximumBone

On a side note,
LD, Yak, Maroon, Kassian, Larsson, and Pulj are all x-factors that Edmonton has.

LD-Can he reproduce what he did last season?
Yak-Will he finally breakout?
Maroon-Where will he be played?
Kassian-Best shape of his life; "I eat, breathe, and sleep hockey now.";
Larsson-Can he transfer his offensive abilities from the SHL to the NHL at last?
Pulj-Is he ready for a top 6 spot or a top 9 spot? Is he better than Laine overall?

No mention of Draisaitl?

He was mentioned on our board everyday this summer.
- mdw7413

Yeah, but he almost played the full season last season... I'm just talking about the difference (hopefully) coming up... Adding about 40 games to McDavid's season, adding Lucic, adding Puljujarvi (I think he'll be added anyway)... Add those three things then subtract Hall, and the Oilers are better imo.

Yeah, but he almost played the full season last season... I'm just talking about the difference (hopefully) coming up... Adding about 40 games to McDavid's season, adding Lucic, adding Puljujarvi (I think he'll be added anyway)... Add those three things then subtract Hall, and the Oilers are better imo.
- laughs2907

Ahh got ya. I would give my left nut for Draisaitl.

Puljujarvi, wasn't he rated the most NHL ready in the draft along with Matthews?

It means Larsson good. Fayne no good.
- Mr.Bobby

It also says that defensively:

Stralman >> Hedman

and

Parayko > Pietrangelo (bet that is due to usage)

Yeah, but he almost played the full season last season... I'm just talking about the difference (hopefully) coming up... Adding about 40 games to McDavid's season, adding Lucic, adding Puljujarvi (I think he'll be added anyway)... Add those three things then subtract Hall, and the Oilers are better imo.
- laughs2907

So if Pulju plays in the NHL and everyones healthy this year I'm guessing the forward lines would be:


Lucic- McDavid- Eberle
Pouliot- Nuge- Puljujarvi
Hendricks- Draisaitl- Yak


That look about right?

It also says that defensively:

Stralman >> Hedman

and

Parayko > Pietrangelo (bet that is due to usage)
- RonPielep

Defensively, both of those statements are probably true. But when you factor in the offense that Hedman and Pietrangelo bring, the story is different.

Also based off the start to his career, would you be shocked if Parayko wound up being one of the best in the NHL by the time he is 25 or 26?

So if Pulju plays in the NHL and everyones healthy this year I'm guessing the forward lines would be:


Lucic- McDavid- Eberle
Pouliot- Nuge- Puljujarvi
Hendricks- Draisaitl- Yak


That look about right?
- Mr.Bobby

Hendricks is barely good enough to crack the roster. Maroon 3LW.

Lucic- McDavid- Yak
Maroon- Nuge- Eberle
Pouliot- Draisaitl- PUJU/Kassian
Lander- Letestu- Kassian/Pakarinen

It means that per fancystats, Larsson is as close to an actual shutdown D as you can get. And not just a big lump that blocks shots, a guy who has positive stat differentials - by a decent margin.
- lumlums

I've seen fancier.

Hendricks is barely good enough to crack the roster. Maroon 3LW.

Lucic- McDavid- Yak
Maroon- Nuge- Eberle
Pouliot- Draisaitl- PUJU/Kassian
Lander- Letestu- Kassian/Pakarinen
- MaximumBone

What players were typically on Driasaitls wings last year?

I have Draisaitl and Drouin in a keeper league that I can only keep three players in, and I'm tempted to keep both.

Hendricks is barely good enough to crack the roster. Maroon 3LW.

Lucic- McDavid- Yak
Maroon- Nuge- Eberle
Pouliot- Draisaitl- PUJU/Kassian
Lander- Letestu- Kassian/Pakarinen
- MaximumBone

Hey now...

Hendricks is by no means a world beater but he is a very serviceable 4th line LW and a hell of a lot better in that role than Lander in any case.

did you guys really just sign a benning? maybe he can help chiarelli with being a gm

To a team that desperately needs to prevent more goals, I think he may be. This years stat line for Larsson, coupled with where the Oilers finish in the standings will go a long way to prove/ disprove the critics who label this an all-time bad trade.

I think this trade goes down as one of those where both teams benefit.
- Mr.Bobby

Agreed with the bold. I'm hoping for a lot of these threads to start with 'suck it Iggy' next year.

did you guys really just sign a benning? maybe he can help chiarelli with being a gm
- martox

Kindly suck a Sidney good sir.

A) Watch the YT videos of Edmonton oiler fans in the streets and downtown during the '06 playoffs, and look at the crowds during the 06' playoffs. So something like that.

B) If Hall was going to get "fair" value, it would have been for Subban. Everybody knows that, especially since they were traded minutes apart from each other. Hell even pietrangelo would have been great value for Hall. However, we got Larsson instead. Nothing you can do at this point, but be positive and look forward.

Edit: I for one, an OKAY with the Larsson-Hall trade. I made a massive argument about it on a blog 1-2 months ago. Larsson is something that Edmonton needed DESPERATELY.

Edit #2: This not to say that I don't think it was an over-payment, but it was a NECESSARY MOVE to make this team better.
- EdmHockeyMan

Or you could be negative and look forward. Or you could be positive and look backwards. Or you could be realistic and look at the present. There is a lot of different things people can do at this point. To each their own.