Alberta Oil Flames

Alberta Oil Flames
- Hank3Henshaw

Stupid.

I wouldn't mind seeing a Flyer-Edmonton rival develop in the coming years.

McDavid, Draisaitl, Lucic, Puljujarvi, RNH and Strome
VS
Giroux, Voracek, Simmonds, Patrick, Konecny, Lindblom, Rubtsov


On defense:

Klefbom, Larsson, Sekera and Benning/Nurse
VS
Ghost, Provorov, Morin, Sanheim, Myers, Wilcox

In Goal:
Wells?
VS
Hart, Sandstrom
- Glak18

The concern being Giroux seems to be tailing off hard in both EV scoring and shot distance so I don't know how long he figures to run things. Looking at the forward groups, I'd imagine something like Patrick, Voracek, Simmonds, Konecny, Couturier and Lindblom is more what we'd see. I mean no offense when I say this, but that's not quite on the level of the Oilers'.

That being said, nor does the Oilers' D corps currently look like it has 3 or 4 safe bets at play drivers like Philly's does with Provy, Ghost, Sanheim and Myers.

For sake of information, I also wouldn't discount Brossoit in the goaltending section by not including him. Sure, he's not an elite looking prospect like Hart but he's consistently improved year after year and is just a step or two away from being capable of starting post-Talbot.

Most importantly, it's my belief that rivals are best created with in-conference competition.

The concern being Giroux seems to be tailing off hard in both EV scoring and shot distance so I don't know how long he figures to run things. Looking at the forward groups, I'd imagine something like Patrick, Voracek, Simmonds, Konecny, Couturier and Lindblom is more what we'd see. I mean no offense when I say this, but that's not quite on the level of the Oilers'.

That being said, nor does the Oilers' D corps currently look like it has 3 or 4 safe bets at play drivers like Philly's does with Provy, Ghost, Sanheim and Myers.

For sake of information, I also wouldn't discount Brossoit in the goaltending section by not including him. Sure, he's not an elite looking prospect like Hart but he's consistently improved year after year and is just a step or two away from being capable of starting post-Talbot.

Most importantly, it's my belief that rivals are best created with in-conference competition.
- MaximumBone

Solid post*

*stroke,stroke

Where is the bumhole that started that stroke stroke business anyway? Had no reason to post here once Eakins was gassed? That guy hated Eakins more than anything else in this world.

Great blog.

Relatively unbiased blog with only minor errors and no outlandish opinions. Extremely refreshing to get a blogger who isn't just click bait or stuck on this trade or that player they hated.

I think Calgary would rate their forwards maybe better than you portray and I know I think our defense is underrated even by many Oil fans.

Calgary's defense is typically incredibly overrated but if, IF Harmonic returns to form their defense combined with even an average Smith will give us fits. I would agree that it's unlikely we sweep the season series but "should" win the series in theory anyways.

Calgary last year seemed to feast on low quality teams and typically went belly up against tougher match ups. Nothing that isn't exactly unconventional for any team but also something Flames fans ignore. While they are obviously a great up and up coming team it's extremely hard to pencil them in the #3 spot in the division over SJS yet. I also think the Central loaded up again and wild card spots will go to their division.

With Calgary improving on paper and likely to improve due to youth. SJS still having a great team. Anaheim still the favorite to win the division. Kings and Arizona possible "wild cards". Edmonton really needs to take another step forward to ensure a playoff spot. Edmonton lets more games against easier opponents get away from them. That has improved significantly but still needs work. The killer instinct just isn't there yet to be considered a legit/true playoff/cup contender.

Both teams are now basically considered playoff teams on paper but the West is far too competitive for either team to make any assumptions for this up and coming year.

Great blog.

Relatively unbiased blog with only minor errors and no outlandish opinions. Extremely refreshing to get a blogger who isn't just click bait or stuck on this trade or that player they hated.

I think Calgary would rate their forwards maybe better than you portray and I know I think our defense is underrated even by many Oil fans.

Calgary's defense is typically incredibly overrated but if, IF Harmonic returns to form their defense combined with even an average Smith will give us fits. I would agree that it's unlikely we sweep the season series but "should" win the series in theory anyways.

Calgary last year seemed to feast on low quality teams and typically went belly up against tougher match ups. Nothing that isn't exactly unconventional for any team but also something Flames fans ignore. While they are obviously a great up and up coming team it's extremely hard to pencil them in the #3 spot in the division over SJS yet. I also think the Central loaded up again and wild card spots will go to their division.

With Calgary improving on paper and likely to improve due to youth. SJS still having a great team. Anaheim still the favorite to win the division. Kings and Arizona possible "wild cards". Edmonton really needs to take another step forward to ensure a playoff spot. Edmonton lets more games against easier opponents get away from them. That has improved significantly but still needs work. The killer instinct just isn't there yet to be considered a legit/true playoff/cup contender.

Both teams are now basically considered playoff teams on paper but the West is far too competitive for either team to make any assumptions for this up and coming year.
- Aerchon

I actually agree with you.

The concern being Giroux seems to be tailing off hard in both EV scoring and shot distance so I don't know how long he figures to run things. Looking at the forward groups, I'd imagine something like Patrick, Voracek, Simmonds, Konecny, Couturier and Lindblom is more what we'd see. I mean no offense when I say this, but that's not quite on the level of the Oilers'.

That being said, nor does the Oilers' D corps currently look like it has 3 or 4 safe bets at play drivers like Philly's does with Provy, Ghost, Sanheim and Myers.

For sake of information, I also wouldn't discount Brossoit in the goaltending section by not including him. Sure, he's not an elite looking prospect like Hart but he's consistently improved year after year and is just a step or two away from being capable of starting post-Talbot.

Most importantly, it's my belief that rivals are best created with in-conference competition.
- MaximumBone

For the most part I agree what you said, but I would love to rekindle that 80's magic.

Personally I see Sandstrom jumping over Hart.

Countering your suggestion, I think he merely intended to represent what he figures are the most likely lines. If we're talking what would be the most balanced/ideal, I think we're looking at the Oilers roster as follows:

Maroon- McDavid- PuJu/Slepy
Lucic- Draisaitl- Strome
Jokinen- RNH- Slepy/PuJu
Caggiula- Letestu- Kassian

Bumping Draisaitl and RNH down a line would serve to solidify the middle-6 and if you're making the argument that Backlund and Frolik improve their linemates, then that argument would be even stronger for McDavid and whichever of Slepyshev or Puljujarvi find themselves with Connor. Still and Oiler win at F barring a major step forward for Bennett.
- MaximumBone

Not at all disputing the McDavid line. It is without a doubt better than the rest.

Even with your adjustments I still think flames middle 6 is better. Third lines are a lot closer now though, but again, I'm biased.

Pretty much any line with McDavid is better than the Flames best trio, in fact if Draisaitl centers a line it would probably be better as well, as he is clearly the better player over both Mony and Gudreau.
- Larsson_fan

Ha, nice try.

For the most part I agree what you said, but I would love to rekindle that 80's magic.

Personally I see Sandstrom jumping over Hart.
- Glak18

One thing that makes it difficult for a rivalry like that to form again it the schedule. While it doesn't seem like much the Flyers and Oilers played each other 3 times a year during the 80's and now it's only a home and away. Nowadays I can't really think of a West and East team that really have a notable rivalry.

First off chiasson isn't on the team so nice try and second Brouwer won't see third line minutes very much if at all so scratch that out and start over cause you're way off on your comparison nice try though. Edmonton had a lucky year in the new building wouldn't be surprised to see them regress a bit not saying they are going to be passed by calgary but to say three of their four forward groups are better is ridiculous. Oilers fans beware you're in for a scare and you might not like hearing this but after being so poop for 10+ years and the bottom feeders getting number one picks it's no doubt you are finally becoming relevant again. I mean it doesnt take a genius to see why you're even in the conversation for playoffs after how many last place finishes? It's funny how many people forget how bad you guys were just because of one good year. I'm a flames fan and I can say this we may not have as talented a team but we are doing it with our highest ever pick in the draft being number 4 you guys have what 4-5 number 1-2 picks?? No wonder.
- Flameswarrior92

wow you're upset

(frank)ing guys with paragraphs for posts. who reads that much poop

I have just 6 points to make:

1) Oilers are a decent team with a superstar. And they suck!

2) Flames are a decent team with no superstars. And they DON'T suck!

3) Oilers will NOT sweep the Flames this year - that will be the difference over last year - just putting the Flames above the Oilers in the final standings. Oh - and the Oilers suck!Did I say that already?

4) Oilers suck!

5) Oilers suck!

6) Oilers suck!

That's it boys -end of discussion - I know you all will pick apart my extremely well thought out comments, but go ahead - I will do you all a favor and not post anything else on this blog, regardless of how you Oiler trolls try to get me to.

7) Oiler trolls/fans suck even more than the Oilers!


- hags11

Lol I don't see how a flames fan can justify saying how much the Oilers suck after we just swept your pathetic flames. If the Oilers suck was does that mean for a flames team who got scored on over 20 times in 4 games by the Oil?

First off chiasson isn't on the team so nice try and second Brouwer won't see third line minutes very much if at all so scratch that out and start over cause you're way off on your comparison nice try though. Edmonton had a lucky year in the new building wouldn't be surprised to see them regress a bit not saying they are going to be passed by calgary but to say three of their four forward groups are better is ridiculous. Oilers fans beware you're in for a scare and you might not like hearing this but after being so poop for 10+ years and the bottom feeders getting number one picks it's no doubt you are finally becoming relevant again. I mean it doesnt take a genius to see why you're even in the conversation for playoffs after how many last place finishes? It's funny how many people forget how bad you guys were just because of one good year. I'm a flames fan and I can say this we may not have as talented a team but we are doing it with our highest ever pick in the draft being number 4 you guys have what 4-5 number 1-2 picks?? No wonder.
- Flameswarrior92

Finished last 2 times actually

Fixed.
- DeflatedPucks

(frank) Cloutier

Lol I don't see how a flames fan can justify saying how much the Oilers suck after we just swept your pathetic flames. If the Oilers suck was does that mean for a flames team who got scored on over 20 times in 4 games by the Oil?
- Leichs

That was all brand new coaching and goaltending.

Better at picking first overall players? Calgary. Even though it hasn't happened yet.
- MABster

We win Stanley Cups and Draft lotteries....

Ha, nice try.
- dr_soiledpants

OK, trick question to test you for retardation.

Who is better, Draisaitl or Monohhan?

OK, trick question to test you for retardation.

Who is better, Draisaitl or Monohhan?
- Larsson_fan

Clearly Monohan

at hockey...Edmonton....at everything else...Calgary

This is called a fan blog. A fan doesn't even need to ask. You don't even need to be an Oilers fan. Any hockey fan can tell you that the soon to be Seattle Flames suck pucks.
- OilyJay

Isn't that what was said about you idiots until Katz suckered you all into paying a poop ton to build his stadium?

First off chiasson isn't on the team so nice try and second Brouwer won't see third line minutes very much if at all so scratch that out and start over cause you're way off on your comparison nice try though. Edmonton had a lucky year in the new building wouldn't be surprised to see them regress a bit not saying they are going to be passed by calgary but to say three of their four forward groups are better is ridiculous. Oilers fans beware you're in for a scare and you might not like hearing this but after being so poop for 10+ years and the bottom feeders getting number one picks it's no doubt you are finally becoming relevant again. I mean it doesnt take a genius to see why you're even in the conversation for playoffs after how many last place finishes? It's funny how many people forget how bad you guys were just because of one good year. I'm a flames fan and I can say this we may not have as talented a team but we are doing it with our highest ever pick in the draft being number 4 you guys have what 4-5 number 1-2 picks?? No wonder.
- Flameswarrior92

Isn't that what was said about you idiots until Katz suckered you all into paying a poop ton to build his stadium?
- TandA4Flames

Don't worry all of Canada would riot if that ever happened and Bettman knows it.

Great blog.

Relatively unbiased blog with only minor errors and no outlandish opinions. Extremely refreshing to get a blogger who isn't just click bait or stuck on this trade or that player they hated.

I think Calgary would rate their forwards maybe better than you portray and I know I think our defense is underrated even by many Oil fans.

Calgary's defense is typically incredibly overrated but if, IF Harmonic returns to form their defense combined with even an average Smith will give us fits. I would agree that it's unlikely we sweep the season series but "should" win the series in theory anyways.

Calgary last year seemed to feast on low quality teams and typically went belly up against tougher match ups. Nothing that isn't exactly unconventional for any team but also something Flames fans ignore. While they are obviously a great up and up coming team it's extremely hard to pencil them in the #3 spot in the division over SJS yet. I also think the Central loaded up again and wild card spots will go to their division.

With Calgary improving on paper and likely to improve due to youth. SJS still having a great team. Anaheim still the favorite to win the division. Kings and Arizona possible "wild cards". Edmonton really needs to take another step forward to ensure a playoff spot. Edmonton lets more games against easier opponents get away from them. That has improved significantly but still needs work. The killer instinct just isn't there yet to be considered a legit/true playoff/cup contender.

Both teams are now basically considered playoff teams on paper but the West is far too competitive for either team to make any assumptions for this up and coming year.
- Aerchon

I agree with everything here
both teams look to be on paper playoff teams but parity and competitiveness of all the teams makes it very hard to predict. All it takes is 1 injury or a bad stretch of games and your chances of the playoffs are gone

I think I would agree that overall Edmonton is still looking better mainly because they have a more sure thing in Connor McDavid and Talbot
I really hope our forwards can take a step forward and that Mike Smith doesn't have a slow start adjusting to our system and cause us to limp out of the gate like Elliott did to us last year

Isn't that what was said about you idiots until Katz suckered you all into paying a poop ton to build his stadium?
- TandA4Flames

Not sure what you think you know but my taxes didnt go up.