Coach REALLY need to get Barker away from Kessel...clearly he was no match for him. Kessel beat him on the outside with speed EVERY time. At least if they would have played Sutton he would have had a longer reach. No way Sutton should have been sitting in the press box tonight. Also, why is Peckham still higher on the depth chart than Teubert????
- darkstar107

The only way some of the coaching decisions (ie playing freaking Belanger more than Eberle, not starting Sutton) make any sense to me is if they are showcasing players. Since it seems every GM and scout in the league was there I can reluctantly get behind this. The good news about this hypothesis is that if they did not dress Sutton, it means they aren't shopping him! I'm ambivalent about this.

Given we're riding the Tambellini express to take-it-in-the-bum-ville and management seems determined to do what they can to keep the team drafting high it makes sense to trade Sutton. Trade him for whatever with a little of the old Slip Shifty (that's when you trade a UFA at deadline after you and the UFA promise each other that he will come back and resign in the off season).

I would keep Peckham above Teubert for now. Remember, we've tanked this season (thanks Steve, I love watching my favourite team lose! You'd think that after all these years it would get old but it just doesn't!) so weaker D = higher draft pick. Also, we have rushed far too many players (Peckham included) which does bad things to a players development. Give Teubert some time in the minors before putting him against the Kessels of the league.

(As an aside, maybe I'm being unreasonably hard on Tambi.)

Yeah Richard had a pretty good thing goin there, until he went all "I can't stand losing anymore!!! " and started mentioning trading your lottery pick. This draft is weak as you get further into the 1st round, but the top 10 is heavy with solid Canadian defenceman. You'll get a good player for sure. If anything try packaging one of your forgotten prospects like Paajarvi, Omark,Hamilton, Pitlick and maybe your 2nd and 3rd to get a solid d-man.

Plus you drafted Klefbom and David Musil last year, I'm sure they'll be NHL ready sooner rather than later
- t_leafs21

This draft is weak later in the first round? Source?

Klefbom will hopefully come over next season, but David Musil is a long way from being an NHLer.

HE very well could be the dumbest, least respected reporter/analyst in all of sports.

- SPIbanez

Hey, let's not go crazy here. What about Pierre Mcguire?

Barker was brutal last night; with his NHL career being what it is, you'd think he'd show a little less indifference about being out there.
- Go_Shelf

one bad game after only a couple back from being out for more than 2 months isnt really a big deal so just relax

This draft is weak later in the first round? Source?

Klefbom will hopefully come over next season, but David Musil is a long way from being an NHLer.
- kingbrehm

Bob McKenzie. If you'd consider him a source.

He was saying that alot of teams may have their 1st rounder in play cause this looks to be one of the weakest drafts in years

The only way some of the coaching decisions (ie playing freaking Belanger more than Eberle, not starting Sutton) make any sense to me is if they are showcasing players. Since it seems every GM and scout in the league was there I can reluctantly get behind this. The good news about this hypothesis is that if they did not dress Sutton, it means they aren't shopping him! I'm ambivalent about this.

Given we're riding the Tambellini express to take-it-in-the-bum-ville and management seems determined to do what they can to keep the team drafting high it makes sense to trade Sutton. Trade him for whatever with a little of the old Slip Shifty (that's when you trade a UFA at deadline after you and the UFA promise each other that he will come back and resign in the off season).

I would keep Peckham above Teubert for now. Remember, we've tanked this season (thanks Steve, I love watching my favourite team lose! You'd think that after all these years it would get old but it just doesn't!) so weaker D = higher draft pick. Also, we have rushed far too many players (Peckham included) which does bad things to a players development. Give Teubert some time in the minors before putting him against the Kessels of the league.

(As an aside, maybe I'm being unreasonably hard on Tambi.)
- thefullnelson

The only reason Peckham was "rushed" was that his ELC ran out and he needed to be signed to a 1 way contract or lose him. It was a calculated risk that is debatable whether or not it paid off. He's decent but I see him being moved in favor of Teubert especially considering Pecks needs a new contract this summer.

Agreed though, the only possible acceptable excuse for the disgrace in playing time is that Belanger is being shown off before being kicked the (frank) out of town.

I agree with alot of your blog today. And I have been saying for a while its time to use our pick and a player if needed to get a stud defenceman who can make the rest of the defence better. early to mid 20's that is just becoming a top defenceman. Not easy to get but we have the assets to get one.

This draft is weak later in the first round? Source?

Klefbom will hopefully come over next season, but David Musil is a long way from being an NHLer.
- kingbrehm

Bobby Mac made the comment on twitter that he can see 1st rounders being used as currency this year for trades due to a relatively top-heavy draft.

A trade is certainly in order to balance out the squad. The Oil a couple good risks on project defenseman, but unfortunately they're not working out. I know for sure that Barker sucks, what's up with Teubert, though? I don't know much about him besides the fact he never should have been drafted that high and its difficult for him to live up to expectations. What do you Oilers fans think of the kid?
- clarkysduster

I'm in wait-and-see(-and-hope) mode. Teubert's development was mishandled by the Kings so I expect him to take more time than your average D-man.

Would I have gone out of my way to trade for Teubert specifically? Gigantic f-bomb No. Would I swap Pancakes for Teubert and a 1st and laugh all the way to the buffet table? You betcha bie! (that last was supposed to be phonetical newfanese)

And that face ... I don't know how you can look at him and resist the urge to punch him in the mouth.
- Double_A

That's how I feel about Pierre Mcguire!

Bobby Mac made the comment on twitter that he can see 1st rounders being used as currency this year for trades due to a relatively top-heavy draft.
- p_zub

Latter first round is pretty weak. There are some prospects coming on strong thus far in the second half though. It looks like it will be a really solid draft, just not spectacular.

Gagner will be available
- GoneFullRetard

Sure, for a wild overpayment. Right now I want a young, strong, top-pairing D-man (which we all know just isn't going to happen) or a young, strong, second-pairing D-man and a mid-1st-rounder (ditto). No one is going to make that kind of overpayment.

one bad game after only a couple back from being out for more than 2 months isnt really a big deal so just relax
- ruttager17

What was Gilbert's excuse?

The score was indicative of where the teams are right now in their development. The Leafs are a legitimate contender for a playoff spot (whoopee), and the Oilers are not.

The Oilers D was horrible. There is just no getting around that. They have the brightest young trio of forwards in the league right now... but you just can't win very often without some defensive play.
- GoneFullRetard

Fair enough.

Sure, for a wild overpayment. Right now I want a young, strong, top-pairing D-man (which we all know just isn't going to happen) or a young, strong, second-pairing D-man and a mid-1st-rounder (ditto). No one is going to make that kind of overpayment.
- thefullnelson

I'm sorry, a string of two great games doesn't make him any more valuable to anyone other than the Oilers. He stills averages out not only this year, but in his career as a whole, to barely more than what Bozak is providing for the Leafs, without the cost of acquiring him.

Richard Cloutier: Oilers Lose The Most Oiler Game of the Season
- Maxbone

-Petry seems like he can keep up with the speed and creativity of the young kids. He passes nicer than I thought (see the tic tac toe eberle goal)

-Smyth goal should have counted, goes without saying, but of course so should the Lupul goal, so no complaining anyone.

-Hall's giveaway on the Lupul goal was brutal. fling that puck litterally ANYWHERE other than right up the middle.

-We need to get clearing the crease if the leafs are able to get a stick on so many rebounds.

-Potter looks slower than I remember...

-We should take care of our assets, but it seems like all the people who were so quick to judge that Nuge was too young and small to play in the NHL all suddenly jumped on the banwagon, and now are jumping back again. We knew there were pros and cons to playing Nuge, and if you're not prepared to say he's too small and they should give him time while he's scoring a PPG, you're not allowed to say so when he gets injured.

-If Nuge is out, I'd rather bring up Harti than claim Stewart

-Schenn isn't flashy, but he doesn't do the stupid plays that cause two of those goals and he takes the body as much as he can. If we're making a play for a guy to improve the team now and in the future, make it him!

I agree with alot of your blog today. And I have been saying for a while its time to use our pick and a player if needed to get a stud defenceman who can make the rest of the defence better. early to mid 20's that is just becoming a top defenceman. Not easy to get but we have the assets to get one.
- oilermeister

Don't get me wrong, I agree, but who and how? Columbus is making noise about wanting to keep Suter and Weber, I'm unconvinced Schenn is the man we need and even if he is Burke isn't trading him unless it's for a gigantic overpayment or a a big, strong, skilled center. Maybe the Habs will fall off their rocker and deal Subban?

Yeah Richard had a pretty good thing goin there, until he went all "I can't stand losing anymore!!! " and started mentioning trading your lottery pick. This draft is weak as you get further into the 1st round, but the top 10 is heavy with solid Canadian defenceman. You'll get a good player for sure. If anything try packaging one of your forgotten prospects like Paajarvi, Omark,Hamilton, Pitlick and maybe your 2nd and 3rd to get a solid d-man.

Plus you drafted Klefbom and David Musil last year, I'm sure they'll be NHL ready sooner rather than later
- t_leafs21

I am just itching to see that happen. There should be no world where we're pencilling in Hemsky and Smyth for the next 2-3 years and not shop Omark, Hamilton, Pitlick 2nd or 3rd (I'd put Paajarvi off to the side for right now). Not saying keeping Hemsky and Smyth is the answer, but if that's what they choose they should put so chips down to correspond to that.

I'm sorry, a string of two great games doesn't make him any more valuable to anyone other than the Oilers. He stills averages out not only this year, but in his career as a whole, to barely more than what Bozak is providing for the Leafs, without the cost of acquiring him.
- p_zub

That's why he won't get moved - he's far more valuable to Edmonton than to anyone else. But barely more than Bozak?

http://www.hockeydb.com/i...ts/pdisplay.php?pid=83925
http://www.hockeydb.com/i...ts/pdisplay.php?pid=93938

Not to pick nits or anything but Gagner is clearly > Bozak, particularly considering the supporting cast Gagner had (think the Three Stooges on skates).

(All I did was google "gagner stats' and "bozak stats" and click the top link. Total time spent - ~45 seconds. Let's do our homework people!)

Damien cox is a god damn moron. Nobody in toronto, or outside of the gta, likes him. He opens his mouth simply to get people riled up and get page hits or views. Moron.

Barker was brutal last night; with his NHL career being what it is, you'd think he'd show a little less indifference about being out there.
- Go_Shelf

Like Gagner and Whitney the guy needs time. He just came back from surgery.

The Leafs were getting pwned during the first 10 minutes of the third period.
- Reveen

Edmonton really came out gunning at the beginning of the third, leafs caught a few lucky breaks and Reimer made the saves the team needed him to make.

Hey, let's not go crazy here. What about Pierre Mcguire?
- thefullnelson

touche.. i forgot about that d-bag. super pumped tsn realized it was time to cut ties with him. but it's crazy..supposedly scotty bowman thinks he's a smart fella..maguire was considered for the gm job in Minnesota a couple years ago.

I have to say that I am incredibly shocked that Eberle didnt get his first career hatty last night. That had typical Leafs moment written all over it.

the sad thing about all of this was just about everyone was screaming the Oilers Defense was inadequate from the start. Only person who didn't see that was the GM.

If this team didn't suffer from all these freak injuries, and actually iced a better defense, even slightly better (as in NHL level defense, as opposed to AHL level with some) this is a team that should be battling for a playoff spot right now, as opposed to another lottery.

Another FUBARed season, thanks once again to our management pair of Tweedledee and Tweedledum.