Yakupov for Barrie
- laughs2907

Fap fap fap

I see what you did there, but the Oilers are the current Western Favorite, so I highly doubt their going to finish in the lottery. I would put there chances of repeating last years' Mr Burns Softball Team-style injury bonanza at zero percent, exactly the same odds of them missing the Playoffs.
- James_Tanner

I actually agree with Tanner on this point...and others in the post. I think the Oilers should have traded, or at least marketed, their early round picks for 2017 through 2019 last year. It didn't take a lot of foresight to see that this team is going to improve A LOT over the next three years and those picks will just get less valuable because of it. I think they have enough #1 picks and young talent already and using their future draft picks to build around the current core of youngsters is a very smart move. As the saying goes, "buy low, sell high". Right when everyone thought the Oilers were the worst team in the league (some still do) is when you trade your number one overall pick...unless you need that pick (i.e. Toronto). Edmonton doesn't need any more #1 picks, I agree with Tanner on these points.

Fap fap fap
- DDM-Coga

Also, I'd like to go on the record saying that I would not trade Nail Yakupov...see my "buy low sell high" comment earlier.

I think he has nowhere to go but up and the sky is the limit for this kid. I have a feeling that this will be a fantastic year for him and he will be on the "untradeable list" after this season.

I actually agree with Tanner on this point...and others in the post. I think the Oilers should have traded, or at least marketed, their early round picks for 2017 through 2019 last year. It didn't take a lot of foresight to see that this team is going to improve A LOT over the next three years and those picks will just get less valuable because of it. I think they have enough #1 picks and young talent already and using their future draft picks to build around the current core of youngsters is a very smart move. As the saying goes, "buy low, sell high". Right when everyone thought the Oilers were the worst team in the league (some still do) is when you trade your number one overall pick...unless you need that pick (i.e. Toronto). Edmonton doesn't need any more #1 picks, I agree with Tanner on these points.
- JLO961

Yup, I agree... I wonder what kind of d-man our #1 pick in the 2017 could get us right now...

Also, I'd like to go on the record saying that I would not trade Nail Yakupov...see my "buy low sell high" comment earlier.

I think he has nowhere to go but up and the sky is the limit for this kid. I have a feeling that this will be a fantastic year for him and he will be on the "untradeable list" after this season.
- JLO961

I'll agree that he's got 'nowhere to go but up "

I'll agree that he's got 'nowhere to go but up "
- HB77

I'll agree that he's got 'nowhere to go but up "
- HB77

I'll agree that he's got "nowhere to go"

I'll agree that he's got "nowhere to go"
- MaximumBone

"Frustrated with Yakupov"
- maxbone

"Frustrated with Yakupov"
- maxbone
- HB77

Understatement of the goddam century

James Tanner: Oilers Must Be Bold To Capitalize on Their Window
- James_Tanner

Your troll game is strong

You can look it up yourself if you'd like. Backlund had more goals, assists, corsi, plus/minus rating by a fairly wide margin last year. RNH is perpetually injured for part of the season, soft on checks, sucks at defence and is well known for giving a half as$ performance when the chips are down.

So yeah, I'll take Backs over RNH any day, and twice on Sunday's.

Edit: And yes I know RNH played fewer games than Backs, which again speaks to his frailty...
- Flamin_Irishmin

Mikael Backlund over Ryan Nugent-Hopkins???

Are you being serious???

James Tanner: Oilers Must Be Bold To Capitalize on Their Window
- James_Tanner

If they ended up with those 4 dmen, one would get taken in next year's expansion draft. Not a smart move giving up assets for that.

And while Klefbom and Larsson are two pretty good dmen, it's jumping the gun calling them the best pairing in the NHL. I doubt they are, or will be. Good, but no, not the best.

If they ended up with those 4 dmen, one would get taken in next year's expansion draft. Not a smart move giving up assets for that.

And while Klefbom and Larsson are two pretty good dmen, it's jumping the gun calling them the best pairing in the NHL. I doubt they are, or will be. Good, but no, not the best.
- prock

Klefbom-Larsson>Josi-Subban

If they ended up with those 4 dmen, one would get taken in next year's expansion draft. Not a smart move giving up assets for that.
- prock

I mean, if they managed to accrue that level of talent of the backend you've gotta imagine they'd be willing and inclined to move one of RNH, Eberle, or Sekera due to cap concerns.

If they ended up with those 4 dmen, one would get taken in next year's expansion draft. Not a smart move giving up assets for that.

And while Klefbom and Larsson are two pretty good dmen, it's jumping the gun calling them the best pairing in the NHL. I doubt they are, or will be. Good, but no, not the best.
- prock

"a duo likely to be among the best top-pairings in the NHL for years to come"

To his credit he didn't say they were THE best; simply among them for the next few years. I think it's early to say that, too, but they've certainly got the potential to get there.

You can look it up yourself if you'd like. Backlund had more goals, assists, corsi, plus/minus rating by a fairly wide margin last year. RNH is perpetually injured for part of the season, soft on checks, sucks at defence and is well known for giving a half as$ performance when the chips are down.

So yeah, I'll take Backs over RNH any day, and twice on Sunday's.

Edit: And yes I know RNH played fewer games than Backs, which again speaks to his frailty...
- Flamin_Irishmin

You should probably grab the closest screwdriver and give your self a lobotomy.

James Tanner: Oilers Must Be Bold To Capitalize on Their Window
- James_Tanner

this is exciting, should stir the pot well


nice blog, yeah I said it

You should probably grab the closest screwdriver and give your self a lobotomy.
- Reveen.

The best poster with the best hair doesn't lie. What kind of screwdriver? Robertson? Philips? Flathead?
Also what did you Jerkfaces do to get Hendo's thread locked? Forcing the good fans of the Oilers to slum it here?

I mean, if they managed to accrue that level of talent of the backend you've gotta imagine they'd be willing and inclined to move one of RNH, Eberle, or Sekera due to cap concerns.
- MaximumBone

Sure. But it's 7 forwards and 3 dmen. Or 8 skaters total which I can't imagine they'd want to do. So moving Eberle or rnh doesn't help.

"a duo likely to be among the best top-pairings in the NHL for years to come"

To his credit he didn't say they were THE best; simply among them for the next few years. I think it's early to say that, too, but they've certainly got the potential to get there.
- MaximumBone

Fair.

Sure. But it's 7 forwards and 3 dmen. Or 8 skaters total which I can't imagine they'd want to do. So moving Eberle or rnh doesn't help.
- prock

But who would the 7 forwards realistically be? There are only 4 forwards who I deem absolutely necessary to protect; Draisaitl, RNH, Lucic, and Eberle. Just for argument's sake, even if they couldn't move Sekera they could move one of Nuge or Eberle for some great prospects and still protect Lucic, Draisaitl, RNH/Eberle, Klefbom, Trouba, Lindholm, Larsson, and Sekera. The worst case in either scenario is losing one of Pouliot or Davidson.

The best poster with the best hair doesn't lie. What kind of screwdriver? Robertson? Philips? Flathead?
Also what did you Jerkfaces do to get Hendo's thread locked? Forcing the good fans of the Oilers to slum it here?
- leonkennedy

Suck it up, Buttercup! Tanner is the man!

But who would the 7 forwards realistically be? There are only 4 forwards who I deem absolutely necessary to protect; Draisaitl, RNH, Lucic, and Eberle. Just for argument's sake, even if they couldn't move Sekera they could move one of Nuge or Eberle for some great prospects and still protect Lucic, Draisaitl, RNH/Eberle, Klefbom, Trouba, Lindholm, Larsson, and Sekera. The worst case in either scenario is losing one of Pouliot or Davidson.
- MaximumBone

Draisaitl is protected anyway, isn't he? As long as he's on his ELC I believe...

EDIT: Never mind... He'd have to be protected afterall.

Draisaitl is protected anyway, isn't he? As long as he's on his ELC I believe...

EDIT: Never mind... He'd have to be protected afterall.
- laughs2907

Yeah he needs protecting.