Don't worry all of Canada would riot if that ever happened and Bettman knows it.
- LittleRickyV2

Why would Bettman care about what Canada thinks? And what exactly is Canada going to do. Do you really think Maple Leaf fans will stop paying $5400 for a preseason ticket and $47 to get a whiff of beer? If Bettman could move all the Canadian teams besides the Leafs and Canadiens, he could retire a happy man.

Why would Bettman care about what Canada thinks? And what exactly is Canada going to do. Do you really think Maple Leaf fans will stop paying $5400 for a preseason ticket and $47 to get a whiff of beer? If Bettman could move all the Canadian teams besides the Leafs and Canadiens, he could retire a happy man.
- Hunkulese

It would be a PR nightmare for the league and considering that Canadian teams make up a large portion of league revenue it would also be a very unwise move.

At the end of the day Bettman has to report to the board of directors and allowing a team like Calgary to move to a unproven market like Seattle would be bad for business.

I would pay good money to watch them box
- Feds91Stammer

OK, trick question to test you for retardation.

Who is better, Draisaitl or Monohhan?
- Larsson_fan

Monahan obviously. The guy has been a consistent 30ish goal scorer with Johnny setting him up, not McDavid. If he had McDavid passing to him he'd be a 40-50 goal guy.

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

you my friend are a moron...get a clue dude....you bitter flamers are the only ones who doubt the oilers future...anyone whohas a clue about hockey knows the oilers are on the verge of big things.....have you seen how cup winners are built?not only do they have the elite skill but the nastiness and size you need to go deep n win cups.....a lucky yr this yo yo says.....ya we were poop for 10 yrs ....so what does that have to do with now?how good have you guys been?and had any of those top picks actually been a mcdavid,crosby,kane,tavares,mckinnon,stamkos etc type franchise player than ya maybe it isnt 10 yrs......but hall was the best we got and as it stands im so happy to see him gone.....eat poop n watch the oil dominate bud

you my friend are a moron...get a clue dude....you bitter flamers are the only ones who doubt the oilers future...anyone whohas a clue about hockey knows the oilers are on the verge of big things.....have you seen how cup winners are built?not only do they have the elite skill but the nastiness and size you need to go deep n win cups.....a lucky yr this yo yo says.....ya we were poop for 10 yrs ....so what does that have to do with now?how good have you guys been?and had any of those top picks actually been a mcdavid,crosby,kane,tavares,mckinnon,stamkos etc type franchise player than ya maybe it isnt 10 yrs......but hall was the best we got and as it stands im so happy to see him gone.....eat poop n watch the oil dominate bud
- krazykurty

Ya, the Pens are huge bad asses, as was Chicago...

Monahan obviously. The guy has been a consistent 30ish goal scorer with Johnny setting him up, not McDavid. If he had McDavid passing to him he'd be a 40-50 goal guy.
- dr_soiledpants

probably more like 60-70 imho

Monahan obviously. The guy has been a consistent 30ish goal scorer with Johnny setting him up, not McDavid. If he had McDavid passing to him he'd be a 40-50 goal guy.
- dr_soiledpants

If Draisaitl gave up his defensive responsibilities as Monohan seems to, than he would have easily scored 30-35 goals last year. The fact Draisaitl put up MORE points in his 2nd full NHL campaign than Monohan ever has, and is considered very responsible defensively, makes him the better player. Better sniper??? That goes to Monohan for sure, but better 'player'. That i am sorry falls to Draisaitl.

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

Well then you don't know much. It's not like the city just says "oh hey hockey fans, thanks for the new stadium that we just gift wrapped to an already billionaire but we are hiking all areas of tax to cover this."

It would be a PR nightmare for the league and considering that Canadian teams make up a large portion of league revenue it would also be a very unwise move.

At the end of the day Bettman has to report to the board of directors and allowing a team like Calgary to move to a unproven market like Seattle would be bad for business.
- LittleRickyV2

Except in real life, none of that matters. If they make a convincing argument that the Flames would probably make more money in Seattle than Calgary, that's all that really matters. Are Oilers fans going to stop supporting the Oilers if the Flames move? Will the Leafs and Canadiens stop making money if the Flames move? In a couple years, Flames fans will just start supporting the Oilers and they'll just add to the Oiler's revenue.

Flames were 18th in revenue in 2016 and were still ahead of the Oilers, Sens, and Jets. So no, Canadian teams aren't making up a large portion of league revenue.

Oiler arrogance is just unmatched. Not even by Habs or Leaf fans. I predict regression by Leon and Talbot and obviously an overall drop by the Oilers.
You guys like to talk about how your improvement will come from internal growth but never seem to acknowledge that CGY is likely to experience some as well and still added better players to support that growth while Chia did.... nothing. In true Oiler fashion you're GM sat on his hands instead of doing something tangible to help his players out.
Sure hope you guys make some noise this year because after this and Connors contract is added to Leon's what little depth you have now disappears.

If Draisaitl gave up his defensive responsibilities as Monohan seems to, than he would have easily scored 30-35 goals last year. The fact Draisaitl put up MORE points in his 2nd full NHL campaign than Monohan ever has, and is considered very responsible defensively, makes him the better player. Better sniper??? That goes to Monohan for sure, but better 'player'. That i am sorry falls to Draisaitl.
- Shyster19

Put any decent center to the wing and their 2 way game should improve. Whether you want to admit it or not, monahan is not a passenger on his line. While Johnny struggled, and/or was injured monahans production didn't drop at all.

Not saying Dre won't be a great center, but he hasn't proven it over a full season. At this point he would be the 3rd best center on the Flames. Definitely has the tools to be better though.

Monahan obviously. The guy has been a consistent 30ish goal scorer with Johnny setting him up, not McDavid. If he had McDavid passing to him he'd be a 40-50 goal guy.
- dr_soiledpants

LOL....you earned that extra chromosome!

Oiler arrogance is just unmatched. Not even by Habs or Leaf fans. I predict regression by Leon and Talbot and obviously an overall drop by the Oilers.
You guys like to talk about how your improvement will come from internal growth but never seem to acknowledge that CGY is likely to experience some as well and still added better players to support that growth while Chia did.... nothing. In true Oiler fashion you're GM sat on his hands instead of doing something tangible to help his players out.
Sure hope you guys make some noise this year because after this and Connors contract is added to Leon's what little depth you have now disappears.
- TandA4Flames

Flames upgraded defense and downgraded goaltending. Lets not pretend they had an offseason like Dallas did.

Oiler arrogance is just unmatched. Not even by Habs or Leaf fans. I predict regression by Leon and Talbot and obviously an overall drop by the Oilers.
You guys like to talk about how your improvement will come from internal growth but never seem to acknowledge that CGY is likely to experience some as well and still added better players to support that growth while Chia did.... nothing. In true Oiler fashion you're GM sat on his hands instead of doing something tangible to help his players out.
Sure hope you guys make some noise this year because after this and Connors contract is added to Leon's what little depth you have now disappears.
- TandA4Flames

Not true.....he signed Russell!

Flames upgraded defense and downgraded goaltending. Lets not pretend they had an offseason like Dallas did.
- CameronJ9

http://bleacherreport.com...ost-in-the-2017-offseason
http://www.sportsnet.ca/h...nkings-whos-improved-far/
http://thehockeywriters.c...-trending-up-for-2017-18/
http://thecomeback.com/nh...ved-most-this-summer.html

LOL....you earned that extra chromosome!
- Larsson_fan

Geez, you really put me in my place. How will I ever go on.

Put any decent center to the wing and their 2 way game should improve. Whether you want to admit it or not, monahan is not a passenger on his line. While Johnny struggled, and/or was injured monahans production didn't drop at all.

Not saying Dre won't be a great center, but he hasn't proven it over a full season. At this point he would be the 3rd best center on the Flames. Definitely has the tools to be better though.
- dr_soiledpants

Jesus H Christ....

Geez, you really put me in my place. How will I ever go on.
- dr_soiledpants

Well it's oh so typical of flames fans to always give their players the edge, even when it's obviously not true. I shouldn't expect different I suppose.

Oiler arrogance is just unmatched. Not even by Habs or Leaf fans. I predict regression by Leon and Talbot and obviously an overall drop by the Oilers.
You guys like to talk about how your improvement will come from internal growth but never seem to acknowledge that CGY is likely to experience some as well and still added better players to support that growth while Chia did.... nothing. In true Oiler fashion you're GM sat on his hands instead of doing something tangible to help his players out.
Sure hope you guys make some noise this year because after this and Connors contract is added to Leon's what little depth you have now disappears.
- TandA4Flames

HA Internal growth. You guys have traded all your draft picks for the next hundred years. I wonder what will come first,an Oilers Stanley Cup,or a Flames first round pick???

Thanks Freelancer. Great blog!
These teams will be close for many years! Battle of Alberta is relevant again! Had season tickets for the first round in the 80's! Look forward to another hated rivalry!

Though I thought your blog was a pretty fair analysis, I think others have already pointed out all your mistakes in personnel so I'll stay away from that.

Calgarys top 9 would have to get the nod over the Oilers, not a line to line nod but overall top 9 nod. But you guys got that ace in the hole, Jesus! As long as Conners heathy you guys should be able keep pace!

All in all though, I see some great games between these 2! Look forward to all the ribbing back and forth between fan bases! Your team is great but we are greater!
Bring it on! Even you Lorson!

HA Internal growth. You guys have traded all your draft picks for the next hundred years. I wonder what will come first,an Oilers Stanley Cup,or a Flames first round pick???
- 2centz

Are you that retarded? What the hell does future draft picks have to do with growth of current players on the roster? You guys blew a decade of high picks in each round and you seem pretty confident of your team.
As for your question we have up 1 1st round pick for Hamonic same like you have for Reinhart. How's he doing?

Well it's oh so typical of flames fans to always give their players the edge, even when it's obviously not true. I shouldn't expect different I suppose.
- Larsson_fan

So i guess you feeling that Dre is better is completely different right? I don't know that I've ever met a fan who wouldn't give their teams player the edge.

So i guess you feeling that Dre is better is completely different right? I don't know that I've ever met a fan who wouldn't give their teams player the edge.
- dr_soiledpants

Why not? I think you have 2 defenders better than our best. Not a problem for me to admit it.

It doesn't matter. The Oilers have a phenom on their team.