ANother top defenseman? But I thought we had our top pair in Klefbom and Larsson
- freelancer

Lord Larsson's ill father (who eventually passed away) hurt his season... Klefbom couldn't perform, because he didn't have Lord Larsson as a crutch.

Depends. Perhaps he’d rather live somewhere other than Edmonton?
- Wildschwein

Only way I see it ever happening is if Lucic approaches them. Pete will never ask him to waive.

anyone else here hopeful that they sell Lucic to a playoff team? Like even if we eat 2 million per? My God that was such a (frank)ing huge gaffe... and gets worse by the day... The guy is definitely looking more and more like a buyout in another year.
- saskoil21

I can't get over how cock-eyed he is. Worst accuracy in the NHL.

Lord Larsson's ill father (who eventually passed away) hurt his season... Klefbom couldn't perform, because he didn't have Lord Larsson as a crutch.
- laughs2907

Klef was good before Larsson ever arrived.

Only way I see it ever happening is if Lucic approaches them. Pete will never ask him to waive.
- Iggysbff

True.

Klef was good before Larsson ever arrived.
- Iggysbff

Klef can't cut the mustard when Lord Larsson isn't his safety net

Klef can't cut the mustard when Lord Larsson isn't his safety net
- laughs2907

Then what is Larssons's excuse for stinking it up all year without Klef?

Then what is Larssons's excuse for stinking it up all year without Klef?
- Iggysbff

His father was ill/dying.

His father was ill/dying.
- laughs2907

His father was pretty healthy until his sudden death.

Next excuse?

His father was pretty healthy until his sudden death.

Next excuse?
- Iggysbff

It's hilarious how easy you are to get going.

Do you have proof that he was healthy up until his death btw?

It's hilarious how easy you are to get going.

Do you have proof that he was healthy up until his death btw?
- laughs2907

Get me going? I'm calm as a cucumber.

And I know most of what you say is said dripping with sarcasm.

Get me going? I'm calm as a cucumber.

And I know most of what you say is said dripping with sarcasm.
- Iggysbff

Lord Larsson's ill father (who eventually passed away) hurt his season... Klefbom couldn't perform, because he didn't have Lord Larsson as a crutch.
- laughs2907

Larsoon clearly was going through things with his father and condolences to his family. Neither he nor Klefbom started the year strong and neither were able to gain any ground.

The Oilers have a really strong left side in Nurse, Sekera, and Klefbom. Unless Sekera is planning on waving his NMC I can see one of the other two used to acquire another right shot for the top pair.

Then what is Larssons's excuse for stinking it up all year without Klef?
- Iggysbff

He and Nurse killed it together.

He and Nurse killed it together.
- MaximumBone

That they did.

Larsoon clearly was going through things with his father and condolences to his family. Neither he nor Klefbom started the year strong and neither were able to gain any ground.

The Oilers have a really strong left side in Nurse, Sekera, and Klefbom. Unless Sekera is planning on waving his NMC I can see one of the other two used to acquire another right shot for the top pair.
- freelancer

I hope Sekera eventually returns

I hope Sekera eventually returns
- laughs2907

Once he does, all will be well.

What really baffles me is how a team whose D corps consists of Nate Schmidt, Colin Miller, Shea Theodore, Deryk Engelland, Brayden McNabb and a collection of fringe guys can effectively kill penalties, defend the slot and break the puck out quickly and consistently but ours can't. Is there any clearer picture that McLellan and his staff are the biggest problem with the team? Fix the systems surrounding our Dmen and we'll improve:

a.) the penalty kill (improve goalie numbers and win more)

b.) preventing slot penetration (improve goalie numbers and win more)

c.) the breakout (improve offensive numbers and win more)

Watch a Tampa game and see even bottom pairing and fringe guys like Coburn, Girardi, Sustr and Dotchin break the puck out with short, effective support passes. Is someone gonna argue that those 4 are better puckmovers than Klefbom, Larsson, Nurse and Sekera? Suck a (frank)ing dong, not a chance.

Whether you're willing to admit it or not, Larsson used short, forward support passes a whole lot more when in New Jersey. You even saw it when he first arrived here last year. As time went by, those passes faded because they were COACHED out of him. Same with Sekera in LA and Carolina. Same with pre-McLellan Klefbom.

Our players' (in)ability to break the puck out is a byproduct of being COACHED to do so. They're COACHED to default to the "safe" play of resetting, passing to their partner or just getting it out. This is precisely why the coach likes Russell; that already IS his default. It's likely part of why Davidson has found a niche here. It's likely a big part of why Schultz struggled under Todd. It's likely why Burns didn't ascend to Norris heights until post-McLellan. Fixing the team starts with fixing the D systems and THAT starts with firing McLellan and his staff.

Yes, we need another quality finisher or two and more speed to help support the strategies that we need to see implemented, but there's no point acquiring those until we've dealt with the head of the snake.

#FireTodd #FireTodd #FireTodd #FireTodd #FireTodd
- MaximumBone

No way am I gonna let this go unnoticed and remain buried in these forums. Solid post.

Once he does, all will be well.
- AdamFrench

The Oilers will go undefeated FOREVER!!

He and Nurse killed it together.
- MaximumBone

I second that as well.

No way am I gonna let this go unnoticed and remain buried in these forums. Solid post.
- EdmHockeyMan

Solid posts are just the norm for MaximumBone... He needs to switch it up and write some sh1tty ones sometime.

I hope Sekera eventually returns
- laughs2907

I hope so too.

The only defender that I have seen truly blossom this year (or have a good year in general) has been Nurse. He has finally been able to develop a sense of defensive awareness and risk analysis that makes him look more and more like a great top 4 option down the road. Perhaps I dare say top 2 if he keeps this up?

Solid posts are just the norm for MaximumBone... He needs to switch it up and write some sh1tty ones sometime.
- laughs2907

Just to troll with us maybe? But I'd think it would be too obvious.

Solid posts are just the norm for MaximumBone... He needs to switch it up and write some sh1tty ones sometime.
- laughs2907

Well he did advocate a Loui Eriksson trade a little while back.

If Phaneuf can be traded twice, I should think Lucic could be moved.
- Wildschwein

This is my point!