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.
- Wildschwein

Stats say otherwise. Then again, the same applied to all our 4th liners though Lander was better at shot suppression and PKing.

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.
- RonPielep

- Wildschwein

I'd do it.

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?
- Mr.Bobby

Top 5/10? Yes I would be surprised. But he already surprised me once. I just have a hard time believing Parayko as a rookie is the superior defensive player to Pietrangelo. I think that says more about the way each player was utilized (but this is my own speculation).

Stats say otherwise. Then again, the same applied to all our 4th liners though Lander was better at shot suppression and PKing.
- MaximumBone

Significantly or slightly? I would have thought it would be otherwise.

I'd do it.
- mdw7413

Probably have already. Thats why he uses a cane.

Top 5/10? Yes I would be surprised. But he already surprised me once. I just have a hard time believing Parayko as a rookie is the superior defensive player to Pietrangelo. I think that says more about the way each player was utilized (but this is my own speculation).
- RonPielep

Could be, but that would just be more of an argument for just how good Larsson is defensively considering he put those numbers up while playing top pairing against other teams best on a nightly basis, with the highest percentage of defensive zone starts in the league.

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.
- mdw7413

Of course they'll be better. They can't get any worse. They need to be in the playoffs. I don't think this group is anywhere near a cup contender. A (frank)ing monkey could take this team with our roster last year and make the team "better".

This is a mediocre team at best.

Kindly suck a Sidney good sir.
- Wildschwein

you know I am just joking with ya all just found it funny you signed a benning

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?
- mdw7413

I know he was one of the top 3... Was he rated above Laine?

Could be, but that would just be more of an argument for just how good Larsson is defensively considering he put those numbers up while playing top pairing against other teams best on a nightly basis, with the highest percentage of defensive zone starts in the league.
- Mr.Bobby

I'd say

Schneider > Elliot or Allen.

The fact Larsson compares very favorably to Greene is good news tho.

Of course they'll be better. They can't get any worse. They need to be in the playoffs. I don't think this group is anywhere near a cup contender. A (frank)ing monkey could take this team with our roster last year and make the team "better".

This is a mediocre team at best.
- Iggysbff

Oh.

I thought you thought the Oil would be worse this year.

Of course they'll be better. They can't get any worse. They need to be in the playoffs. I don't think this group is anywhere near a cup contender. A (frank)ing monkey could take this team with our roster last year and make the team "better".

This is a mediocre team at best.
- Iggysbff

No matter what any of us say, we can't prove to you that there weren't any better deals. Conversely, nor can you prove that were any better options available to him. If you'd have preferred not making any moves then I won't even bother.

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

I just hope they don't play Yak with McDavid... I can understand why they'd do it (even out the lines... possibly increase Yak's value), but I'd rather players be rewarded for doing well instead of given freebies.

Probably have already. Thats why he uses a cane.
- Wildschwein

Thats a dude? I thought it was just an older short chick.

I just hope they don't play Yak with McDavid... I can understand why they'd do it (even out the lines... possibly increase Yak's value), but I'd rather players be rewarded for doing well instead of given freebies.
- laughs2907

Definitely fair. (frank) Yak, but I wouldn't be surprised if he was.

Definitely fair. (frank) Yak, but I wouldn't be surprised if he was.
- MaximumBone

No matter what any of us say, we can't prove to you that there weren't any better deals. Conversely, nor can you prove that were any better options available to him. If you'd have preferred not making any moves then I won't even bother.
- MaximumBone

Yup... Very true.

I just hope they don't play Yak with McDavid... I can understand why they'd do it (even out the lines... possibly increase Yak's value), but I'd rather players be rewarded for doing well instead of given freebies.
- laughs2907

I'd like to see them try something like

Pouliot - McD - Yak
Lucic - Nuge - Ebs
Maroon - Draisaitl - Pulju/Pak/Kassian
Hendricks - Lander - Pak/Kassian
Letestu

3rd/4th line depend on Pulju being in AHL or NHL to start.

Klef - Larsson
Sekera - Fayne
Davidson/Nurse - Gryba*/Davidson
Oesterle

3rd pairing depends if they sign another righty. If so, send Nurse and Griff down to AHL to start.

But I doubt they will go with that. Instead it might be something like

Lucic - McD - Ebs
Pouliot - Nuge - Pulju/Yak
Maroon - Draisaitl - Pulju/Yak/Kassian
Hendricks - Lander - Kassian/Pak

Again depending on Pulju making the team. I don't want to see Yak paired with Nuge, pretty sure that has already been given a fair shake and didn't pan out.

- Mr.Bobby

looking back at that, that was so ridiculous

looking back at that, that was so ridiculous
- laughs2907

Yeah, and the entire city was losing their poop for it...

I'd like to see them try something like

Pouliot - McD - Yak
Lucic - Nuge - Ebs
Maroon - Draisaitl - Pulju/Pak/Kassian
Hendricks - Lander - Pak/Kassian
Letestu

3rd/4th line depend on Pulju being in AHL or NHL to start.

Klef - Larsson
Sekera - Fayne
Davidson/Nurse - Gryba*/Davidson
Oesterle

3rd pairing depends if they sign another righty. If so, send Nurse and Griff down to AHL to start.

But I doubt they will go with that. Instead it might be something like

Lucic - McD - Ebs
Pouliot - Nuge - Pulju/Yak
Maroon - Draisaitl - Pulju/Yak/Kassian
Hendricks - Lander - Kassian/Pak

Again depending on Pulju making the team. I don't want to see Yak paired with Nuge, pretty sure that has already been given a fair shake and didn't pan out.
- RonPielep

Yeah, I certainly hope Nurse and Reinhart play in the AHL this year.

Eventually, I hope we see Lucic - McDavid - Puljujarvi together

Yeah, I certainly hope Nurse and Reinhart play in the AHL this year.

Eventually, I hope we see Lucic - McDavid - Puljujarvi together
- laughs2907

I'd like to see it too but long term I think I'd rather see

Lucic - McD - Ebs
Draisaitl - Nuge - Pulju

At least on the PP anyways. I don't really want Leon wasting away in the bottom 6 with a bunch of plugs for linemates.

No matter what any of us say, we can't prove to you that there weren't any better deals. Conversely, nor can you prove that were any better options available to him. If you'd have preferred not making any moves then I won't even bother.
- MaximumBone

I've made my point clear numerous times. We have needed a number one Dman for years. Every cup winner has that one guy. Chara, Doughty, Letang, Keith. We don't have a number one guy. And we gave up our best trade chip to get a guy that "might" be a number 2 guy. If Larsson or Klefbom don't turn out then who do we trade for the next "maybe"? Drai? Pulju? I like most was ok with Hall going but it had to be for a number one guy. We didn't get anywhere near it.

I've made my point clear numerous times. We have needed a number one Dman for years. Every cup winner has that one guy. Chara, Doughty, Letang, Keith. We don't have a number one guy. And we gave up our best trade chip to get a guy that "might" be a number 2 guy. If Larsson or Klefbom don't turn out then who do we trade for the next "maybe"? Drai? Pulju? I like most was ok with Hall going but it had to be for a number one guy. We didn't get anywhere near it.
- Iggysbff

Chances are those kinda D-men weren't available unless it was for a 'lateral' move i.e., Weber for Subban. I just think it is very rare for teams to offer a #1D without getting a replacement in return. Also I don't think PC saw standing pat until the TDL or next summer as an option.