Because we're on the subject, can you imagine how scary a McDavid/Hall duo would be. Maybe the Chiarelli trophy should go to him from thankful fans like us that luckily don't have to deal with that.

Because we're on the subject, can you imagine how scary a McDavid/Hall duo would be. Maybe the Chiarelli trophy should go to him from thankful fans like us that luckily don't have to deal with that.
- Le_Magnifique

Actually they didn't jive very well in McDavid's rookie season. Hall had much better chemistry with Draisaitl.

Actually they didn't jive very well in McDavid's rookie season. Hall had much better chemistry with Draisaitl.
- Wildschwein

With all things considered, how is Larsson going? Has he developed at all - I realise he's had some issues this year with injury, but is he proving to be a valuable asset?

Yeah, I get that... but...

1. He would have been an RFA soooo he wouldn't have been able to decide for a few more years.

2. As the best player in the world signing their first big money contract, are you really going to sign a 3-5 year deal with the possibility of getting injured, preventing him from making BIG money the rest of his career? I get that being a competitor and what not, but you always have to prepare... had he not signed that contract, and get's Matt Cooke'd or something... there goes what... 10+ years worth of salary? By signing the 10 year deal now, if he gets injured, he's still set for life (and family/etc.)
- j.boyd919

Either he loves the Oilers organization, all the great decisions they have made over the last couple of years and happily signed his monster deal

or he just didnt want to be the first star to refuse to sign with the team that drafted him and start a big dramatic saga where his image would be left for poop.

Enjoy him these coming 8 years bc after that he is gonzo

I never said he wasn't.
- MattStrat

I never said you did

Either he loves the Oilers organization, all the great decisions they have made over the last couple of years and happily signed his monster deal

or he just didnt want to be the first star to refuse to sign with the team that drafted him and start a big dramatic saga where his image would be left for poop.

Enjoy him these coming 8 years bc after that he is gonzo
- Cloud

Or he signed for $100M guaranteed (making him the highest paid player in the league) ASAP after his team just came off a 2nd round appearance in the playoffs.

I never said you did
- Feds91Stammer

Touché

Touché
- MattStrat

Did you mean "Douche"?

Or he signed for $100M guaranteed (making him the highest paid player in the league) ASAP after his team just came off a 2nd round appearance in the playoffs.
- Feds91Stammer

Ya think?

Then again, do you think there's a team that wouldn't have given him that?

Ya think?

Then again, do you think there's a team that wouldn't have given him that?
- Rinosaur

And EDM matches it. Then what?

How do you guys feel about ZAR's play since he's been back? I don't see anything that's gonna promote him to top line duties anytime soon.

How do you guys feel about ZAR's play since he's been back? I don't see anything that's gonna promote him to top line duties anytime soon.
- Thorny87

A player like ZAR can be a great compliment to a line, but he's not going to drive it himself. That's how most net front types are. They can create space, win board battles, screen goalies, and put in rebounds, but if they aren't playing with skilled linemates it largely becomes useless and even when it is useful it's not always noticeable (see every complaint ever about Hornqvist.

I think he could do more in an elevated role, but right now there is nobody I'd swap down to find out. He'll get his chance at some point. Sully even said just a couple days ago he'd like to get ZAR more ice time.

How do you guys feel about ZAR's play since he's been back? I don't see anything that's gonna promote him to top line duties anytime soon.
- Thorny87

Hasnt been very noticeable...but that isnt always a bad thing haha.

Consistency is so hard in the NHL, especially for young guys and especially for anyone after an injury. I think he has the tools to stick around and from what Ive seen I have zero problem with him in the bottom 6 right now.

And EDM matches it. Then what?
- Feds91Stammer

No, I mean if he pulled a Lindros. I’m just saying any other team would have likely given him the same.

My point is that money would be there for him regardless of where he plays, so I don’t think that makes him feel any more special about being in EDM.

How do you guys feel about ZAR's play since he's been back? I don't see anything that's gonna promote him to top line duties anytime soon.
- Thorny87

I think he’s been effective in the 4th role, but no, nothing that stands out thus far. I’m sure missing as much hockey as he has, it will take him a little time.

There’s also just no reason to put him with Sid right now. The other options have been effective.

Or he signed for $100M guaranteed (making him the highest paid player in the league) ASAP after his team just came off a 2nd round appearance in the playoffs.
- Feds91Stammer

Yeah, thats my point. Get paid and pay your dues for the team that drafted you. With mediocre support McDavid can take any team to the SC, so I dont think their run last year influented his decision to much considering the Oilers past decade.

McDavid is having another great year putting up points but definitely should not win the Hart.

1. The Oilers came into the season as a front runner in the West and completely poop the bed.

2. They have one of the best 1-2-3 punches in the league at center. Everyone talks about what a bad roster they have now, but there aren't many teams that wouldn't trade Drai and RNH for their #2 & #3 centers.

3. He has poured it on most after the games didn't count. Almost half of his points have come in the 30ish games since the all star break.

If Edmonton at least came close to winning it, or made a big push towards a playoff spot at some point when he was tearing it up I'd give him a shot. But he has just padded his stats on a bad team that has gone nowhere this year.

Mackinnon and Hall are having great seasons on teams that have far exceeded where they were supposed to be this year. Mackinnon should win it.

McDavid is having another great year putting up points but definitely should not win the Hart.

1. The Oilers came into the season as a front runner in the West and completely poop the bed.

2. They have one of the best 1-2-3 punches in the league at center. Everyone talks about what a bad roster they have now, but there aren't many teams that wouldn't trade Drai and RNH for their #2 & #3 centers.

3. He has poured it on most after the games didn't count. Almost half of his points have come in the 30ish games since the all star break.

If Edmonton at least came close to winning it, or made a big push towards a playoff spot at some point when he was tearing it up I'd give him a shot. But he has just padded his stats on a bad team that has gone nowhere this year.

Mackinnon and Hall are having great seasons on teams that have far exceeded where they were supposed to be this year. Mackinnon should win it.
- MacPatty

Agree with all of that.

Agree with all of that.
- MattStrat

I’ll be a little surprised if Macinnon doesn’t win.

I’ll be a little surprised if Macinnon doesn’t win.
- Rinosaur

I have no idea how to handicap this MVP race. I'd probably say Hall off-hand, but I'm not going to be surprised by who wins.

I have no idea how to handicap this MVP race. I'd probably say Hall off-hand, but I'm not going to be surprised by who wins.
- Tojo.

Fair enough. I’m just saying I’ll be a little surprised, not very.

IMO the order goes like this...

Mac
Hall
Kucherov
Malkin
McDavid

McDavid is having another great year putting up points but definitely should not win the Hart.

1. The Oilers came into the season as a front runner in the West and completely poop the bed.

2. They have one of the best 1-2-3 punches in the league at center. Everyone talks about what a bad roster they have now, but there aren't many teams that wouldn't trade Drai and RNH for their #2 & #3 centers.

3. He has poured it on most after the games didn't count. Almost half of his points have come in the 30ish games since the all star break.

If Edmonton at least came close to winning it, or made a big push towards a playoff spot at some point when he was tearing it up I'd give him a shot. But he has just padded his stats on a bad team that has gone nowhere this year.

Mackinnon and Hall are having great seasons on teams that have far exceeded where they were supposed to be this year. Mackinnon should win it.
- MacPatty

No they did not.

All the games count. This is BS

McDavid is having another great year putting up points but definitely should not win the Hart.

1. The Oilers came into the season as a front runner in the West and completely poop the bed.

2. They have one of the best 1-2-3 punches in the league at center. Everyone talks about what a bad roster they have now, but there aren't many teams that wouldn't trade Drai and RNH for their #2 & #3 centers.

3. He has poured it on most after the games didn't count. Almost half of his points have come in the 30ish games since the all star break.

If Edmonton at least came close to winning it, or made a big push towards a playoff spot at some point when he was tearing it up I'd give him a shot. But he has just padded his stats on a bad team that has gone nowhere this year.

Mackinnon and Hall are having great seasons on teams that have far exceeded where they were supposed to be this year. Mackinnon should win it.
- MacPatty

2. Their wingers suck and so does their defense and their goalie came crashing back to earth. They have zero depth outside center.

3. No.

Fair enough. I’m just saying I’ll be a little surprised, not very.

IMO the order goes like this...

Mac
Hall
Kucherov
Malkin
McDavid
- Rinosaur

My top 5:

McDavid
MacKinnon
Hall
Kucherov
Kopitar

My top 5:

McDavid
MacKinnon
Hall
Kucherov
Kopitar
- Feds91Stammer

My top 5:
Charlie Conway
Letterkenny stud Reilly
Darren McCord AKA Jaun Claude Van Damn
Reggie
But I think I gotta give it to Joey Gladstone for finally sniping his arch nemesis Stonewall Brinkley