Slepyshev was given every the shot this year but got injured, and has underperformed since coming back. I would personally like to see us stay away from drafting Russians altogether. Paigin getting released and going back to Russia too now.
- Ihatebrianburke

How about staying away from mediocre Russians? Tarasenko or Kucherov would be awesome.


Russian players dont want to play in the AHL and I don't blame them.

Its been going on for years here, you were blinded by short term success.
- Larsson_fan

I hate to use too much hyperbole cause it’s not like I don’t see value in what larsson brings or don’t think he’s a solid defender.

But despite that, it was an awful awful trade. An elite play driving winger (not just the typical one dimensional scoring type) for a physical but limited defensive dman.
Not only that, but Talbot and Connor really masked how bad the trade truly was.
And I wasn’t immune to it either

But right now I see the way hall is playing and then what Larsson can do (which is undoubtedly important ) and it just reminds me how lopsided it was

Someone build a time machine so we can go back and stop it cause I fear that may be the move that destroyed any possibility of us truly having an elite cup contending group.
Yammy and puju could change that, maybe bear even. but unless they work out, I dunno that it’s gonna happen for us.

Says the guy who only shows up every two weeks.
- Wildschwein

See I'm getting better.

I hate to use too much hyperbole cause it’s not like I don’t see value in what larsson brings or don’t think he’s a solid defender.

But despite that, it was an awful awful trade. An elite play driving winger (not just the typical one dimensional scoring type) for a physical but limited defensive dman.
Not only that, but Talbot and Connor really masked how bad the trade truly was.
And I wasn’t immune to it either

But right now I see the way hall is playing and then what Larsson can do (which is undoubtedly important ) and it just reminds me how lopsided it was

Someone build a time machine so we can go back and stop it cause I fear that may be the move that destroyed any possibility of us truly having an elite cup contending group.
Yammy and puju could change that, maybe bear even. but unless they work out, I dunno that it’s gonna happen for us.
- HB77

Firstly, I asked this before. But did Costanza even shop Hall around? I don't remember any pre-trade banter (not that I'm even in the same country/continent )?

I do remember a lot of Hall hate on these boards - except that 1 poster who seems to be a real Hall 'fan'! So now all the Hall love seems a little strange?

Lastly, wtf is going on? It's nearly getting to a stage where you 'need' a couple of wins just to stay in touch. In saying that get on a run & you could still make top 3 by halfway!

You guys just can't get any top end help from late draft picks, or FA recently.

I agree with the average statement but the addition of Sekera doesn't solve everything that's going wrong with the Edmonton defence. Talbot needs to pick up his game as well, you still have Russelll playing more minutes than he should be. The forwards need to start scoring. Improvement every where will solidify the d, not just the return of 1 player.
- K-man25

That defense was fine for us last season. It was actually very strong for us in the playoffs.

Eberle and Luc made the same amount. Cement foot looch scoring 50 in his good years and Eberle that can wheel and has hands and scored 50 in his worst year. Yet one was run out of town.
- Iggysbff

Lucic was brought in for more than just his 50 points a season.

Its been going on for years here, you were blinded by short term success.
- Larsson_fan

I don't know that I agree on that. I was likely more subdued by it; I've said of most of the deals he's made that I'd have preferred (and personally would've taken) a different approach, but if it worked and created/maintained a successful team then I wasn't gonna waste my energy getting angry about it- particularly regarding drafting and Lucic.

Even now, I don't think I have it in me to be pissed about the mistakes so much as I am about his frankly pathetic press conference. Honestly, I don't think I mind if someone's wrong more often than they're right- that's most GMs in the league- but when you're so unwilling to own your mistakes and deflect is when I take issue. Put in hockey cliches that I figure many would disagree with, results are secondary to process and principles.

I'll admit that I underestimated the impact of skilled wingers when analyzing the Eberle trade in particular. However- and people are free to disagree- I genuinely believe that a player like Larsson's value to a winning team is greater than a player like Hall's would be. To explain my thoughts using comparables, it'd like Rick Nash at 24 (scoring winger in his prime) for Hjalmarsson at 23 (defender entering his prime).

I hate to use too much hyperbole cause it’s not like I don’t see value in what larsson brings or don’t think he’s a solid defender.

But despite that, it was an awful awful trade. An elite play driving winger (not just the typical one dimensional scoring type) for a physical but limited defensive dman.
Not only that, but Talbot and Connor really masked how bad the trade truly was.
And I wasn’t immune to it either

But right now I see the way hall is playing and then what Larsson can do (which is undoubtedly important ) and it just reminds me how lopsided it was

Someone build a time machine so we can go back and stop it cause I fear that may be the move that destroyed any possibility of us truly having an elite cup contending group.
Yammy and puju could change that, maybe bear even. but unless they work out, I dunno that it’s gonna happen for us.
- HB77

You wanna know how it's gonna happen for us? Get me hired as GM

I don't know that I agree on that. I was likely more subdued by it; I've said of most of the deals he's made that I'd have preferred (and personally would've taken) a different approach, but if it worked and created/maintained a successful team then I wasn't gonna waste my energy getting angry about it- particularly regarding drafting and Lucic.

Even now, I don't think I have it in me to be pissed about the mistakes so much as I am about his frankly pathetic press conference. Honestly, I don't think I mind if someone's wrong more often than they're right- that's most GMs in the league- but when you're so unwilling to own your mistakes and deflect is when I take issue. Put in hockey cliches that I figure many would disagree with, results are secondary to process and principles.

I'll admit that I underestimated the impact of skilled wingers when analyzing the Eberle trade in particular. However- and people are free to disagree- I genuinely believe that a player like Larsson's value to a winning team is greater than a player like Hall's would be. To explain my thoughts using comparables, it'd like Rick Nash at 24 (scoring winger in his prime) for Hjalmarsson at 23 (defender entering his prime).
- MaximumBone

In regards to your Hall/Larsson comment.

You can't compare or copy Cup winning teams - they are a complete package & made up of so many different things that need to all come together at the same time.

Having no Letang the Pens just won the last Cup with a patchwork quilt of Dmen. Go back a few of the Pens Cups , & the Hawks had their #1Dman carry the whole team on his back to win Stanley.

Is a stay at home dman that lacks offensive firepower suited for an Oil team that wants to be built around high speed high talent high scoring? Or would a high powered high scoring winger suit the team better?

I believe you don't need a Duncan Keith (only if you can't find 1), or a Kris Letang, but someone with similar skills to your F strengths. Actually Letang would fit well in the Oil. I'm not sure Costanza actually knew the identity of his team when he made that trade, although he certainly slowed the team down with Lucic!

Hopefully when the lockout happens again in 2019 there are more compliance buyouts. We're gonna need a couple.

In regards to your Hall/Larsson comment.

You can't compare or copy Cup winning teams - they are a complete package & made up of so many different things that need to all come together at the same time.

Having no Letang the Pens just won the last Cup with a patchwork quilt of Dmen. Go back a few of the Pens Cups , & the Hawks had their #1Dman carry the whole team on his back to win Stanley.

Is a stay at home dman that lacks offensive firepower suited for an Oil team that wants to be built around high speed high talent high scoring? Or would a high powered high scoring winger suit the team better?

I believe you don't need a Duncan Keith (only if you can't find 1), or a Kris Letang, but someone with similar skills to your F strengths. Actually Letang would fit well in the Oil. I'm not sure Costanza actually knew the identity of his team when he made that trade, although he certainly slowed the team down with Lucic!
- Aussiepenguin

Are the Oilers trying to build a "high speed high talent high scoring" team tho? Or is chia trying to build a team like the kings that werent known as high scoring high speed? It seems they are moving those out for tough grinders while still drafting skill.

Hall for Lucic/Larsson says no to speed. But Larsson is a player they needed. The way it can be seen from both perspectives is understandable of that deal. I am 100% for that trade. Should the Oil have gotten a little more? Sure, but he is a player the Oil needed. Young cost controlled guy that they thought might have more offensive upside. Hasnt worked out on the offensive upside yet.

All these rumors of the Oil looking for a dman, I think they're looking for what Schultz was supposed to be. A high end offensive defenseman. Not a stay at home type. Someone that can swing the play around. There is nothing wrong with having a Letang type if they have a Larsson type. Nurse isn't ready yet. Klef is regressing horribly this year (as I pointed out numerous times last year when certain people pointed out Larsson not being a complete d). Benning has been a surprise as no one expected too much. And no one can predict what comes from the guys still down.

If they decide to grab another gryba type they are screwed. They need a dman to get the puck into the forwards hands. The scoring will come. The problems exist in Talbot not being able to stop a wrister from anywhere right now and the fact they can't get the puck out when it's in. IMO Klef has been the biggest difference from last season. That and the ability to finish or make a save.

In regards to your Hall/Larsson comment.

You can't compare or copy Cup winning teams - they are a complete package & made up of so many different things that need to all come together at the same time.

Having no Letang the Pens just won the last Cup with a patchwork quilt of Dmen. Go back a few of the Pens Cups , & the Hawks had their #1Dman carry the whole team on his back to win Stanley.

Is a stay at home dman that lacks offensive firepower suited for an Oil team that wants to be built around high speed high talent high scoring? Or would a high powered high scoring winger suit the team better?

I believe you don't need a Duncan Keith (only if you can't find 1), or a Kris Letang, but someone with similar skills to your F strengths. Actually Letang would fit well in the Oil. I'm not sure Costanza actually knew the identity of his team when he made that trade, although he certainly slowed the team down with Lucic!
- Aussiepenguin

I'm pretty sure he had every idea as to the identity he was trying to build- it was just the wrong one. He aimed to rebuild the 2012 LA Kings into a league that had bypassed that era (at least for now). And that's precisely why your point about Larsson makes no sense. In what world is a team whose top-6 wingers include Maroon and Lucic a team built around high speed? Not reality, that's for sure. Chiarelli misread the direction the league was going, tried to force his image of a "winning team" to work and lost value in trades too many times along the way.

I'm pretty sure he had every idea as to the identity he was trying to build- it was just the wrong one. He aimed to rebuild the 2012 LA Kings into a league that had bypassed that era (at least for now). And that's precisely why your point about Larsson makes no sense. In what world is a team whose top-6 wingers include Maroon and Lucic a team built around high speed? Not reality, that's for sure. Chiarelli misread the direction the league was going, tried to force his image of a "winning team" to work and lost value in trades too many times along the way.
- MaximumBone

I'm thinking he has more faith in his favourite big man than Lucic has talent. Get Lucic on board protect McD & score & beat the poop out of teams. Larsson is there to steady the ship while his top 6 tear up the league!

Kings were a hard forechecking beat the poop out of you team. How can Costanza think he can imitate that with the talent on his team?

Are the Oilers trying to build a "high speed high talent high scoring" team tho? Or is chia trying to build a team like the kings that werent known as high scoring high speed? It seems they are moving those out for tough grinders while still drafting skill.

Hall for Lucic/Larsson says no to speed. But Larsson is a player they needed. The way it can be seen from both perspectives is understandable of that deal. I am 100% for that trade. Should the Oil have gotten a little more? Sure, but he is a player the Oil needed. Young cost controlled guy that they thought might have more offensive upside. Hasnt worked out on the offensive upside yet.

All these rumors of the Oil looking for a dman, I think they're looking for what Schultz was supposed to be. A high end offensive defenseman. Not a stay at home type. Someone that can swing the play around. There is nothing wrong with having a Letang type if they have a Larsson type. Nurse isn't ready yet. Klef is regressing horribly this year (as I pointed out numerous times last year when certain people pointed out Larsson not being a complete d). Benning has been a surprise as no one expected too much. And no one can predict what comes from the guys still down.

If they decide to grab another gryba type they are screwed. They need a dman to get the puck into the forwards hands. The scoring will come. The problems exist in Talbot not being able to stop a wrister from anywhere right now and the fact they can't get the puck out when it's in. IMO Klef has been the biggest difference from last season. That and the ability to finish or make a save.
- wreckage

As above. If he is trying to build a 'Kings' team, then his top end players need changing. McD is a highly skilled fast player not a hard checking physical sob. RNH? Draisaitl is a solid fella, but I imagine he is more suited to a fast skill game than a physical hard checking grind? But I may be wrong. If he's trying to get that identity without a D corp that has that type of experience then good luck.

McClellan brought on board due to his experience with the Sharks v Kings maybe? When did they last win or go close? Oh that's right, it was after Mclellan left!

Also, Shultz is more a skill player not a 'Kings' type of grinder. So again, what identity is he trying to have?

This team needs time to grow & gell. Ride it out & keep the same personnel!

Glad I didn't take Klefbom this year in my fantasy draft. Yikes.

I feel bad for you guys now, damn

As above. If he is trying to build a 'Kings' team, then his top end players need changing. McD is a highly skilled fast player not a hard checking physical sob. RNH? Draisaitl is a solid fella, but I imagine he is more suited to a fast skill game than a physical hard checking grind? But I may be wrong. If he's trying to get that identity without a D corp that has that type of experience then good luck.

McClellan brought on board due to his experience with the Sharks v Kings maybe? When did they last win or go close? Oh that's right, it was after Mclellan left!

Also, Shultz is more a skill player not a 'Kings' type of grinder. So again, what identity is he trying to have?
- Aussiepenguin

Kings team was about grinders. And he's proving to be trying to remove skill for grit. See Hall for Larsson and Lucic, Eberle for Strome, 2 highish picks for griffen... Yes the team needed more of it when he took over, but not to change to strictly grit and effort guys. That kings team won with a top notch goalie to protect them in Quick, and a ton of 3 line guys who over performed and a coach with the right system in place. Where has it got them since? About 5 guys total are still with the team. And the coaching team has been replaced.

Schultz was let go from the Oil because he lost confidence and was not an anything player anymore. He had 10 points in 45 games in his last tenior as an Oiler. 8 points in 18 games in Pittsburgh. It was time to move on as he was no longer competent on their team in the roll they needed. They now need someone he was supposed to be and what he has somewhat become since. But they need a proven point producer, not someone that may become one in the future.

Glad I didn't take Klefbom this year in my fantasy draft. Yikes.
- AdamFrench

Foot issues back?

Foot issues back?
- wreckage

Incompetence back

I sure hope the whole team had the flu last night because that had nothing to do with coaching or managing a team. They flat out looked awful everywhere

Anyone get fired or demoted yet after last night's debacle?

Foot issues back?
- wreckage

Only saw the highlights. He looked pretty bad.

How about staying away from mediocre Russians? Tarasenko or Kucherov would be awesome.


Russian players dont want to play in the AHL and I don't blame them.
- Larsson_fan

Part of the issue with Paigan is the lack of space we have. It also doesn't help that Jones and Bear have come in and been really good as well.

Anyone get fired or demoted yet after last night's debacle?
- CCSP1

Nope. I promoted myself from Beer to Rye on a Tuesday night though