I hate to say it but we'd be (frank)ed defensively without some of the vets. Without them, we're basically Islanders west.

The comments tonight sound a lot like what's said by every other team in a slump. I've been known to freak out about this team too, but I think everyone needs to chill out. San Jose is a better team anyways. The real mental test will be Columbus on Wednesday *gulp*.

In other news...

Schultz is playing less minutes than Smid, Petry, and sometimes Potter. I don't think he's on the top pairing. Unless you're just listing.
- Jack-artist

Just listing, sadly it's pretty close to the best we got

I hate to say it but we'd be (frank)ed defensively without some of the vets. Without them, we're basically Islanders west.

The comments tonight sound a lot like what's said by every other team in a slump. I've been known to freak out about this team too, but I think everyone needs to chill out. San Jose is a better team anyways. The real mental test will be Columbus on Wednesday *gulp*.
- Jack-artist

Ok say that 20 times a year and what do you have...

the oilers for the last 5 years and 40 lost points


...just saying the acceptance of mediocrity is getting tiresom

Ok say that 20 times a year and what do you have...

the oilers for the last 5 years and 40 lost points


...just saying the acceptance of mediocrity is getting tiresom
- gomerbull

Yeah people dont understand. we could play the OKC lineup and it might win more games. We have been in last for 3 three years now. Let that sink in for moment. Vets are the problem and always have been.

Bob McKenzie for Oilers GM, please...

Ok say that 20 times a year and what do you have...

the oilers for the last 5 years and 40 lost points


...just saying the acceptance of mediocrity is getting tiresom
- gomerbull

Well that's the syndrome created by the management being content with the not making the playoffs the last few seasons. Cleaning house of all the veterans doesn't improve anything. I want to win, believe me. I just don't think "the young guns" can't do it on their own.

Yeah people dont understand. we could play the OKC lineup and it might win more games. We have been in last for 3 three years now. Let that sink in for moment. Vets are the problem and always have been.
- FiretheGM

Ding ding ding!

Yeah people dont understand. we could play the OKC lineup and it might win more games. We have been in last for 3 three years now. Let that sink in for moment. Vets are the problem and always have been.
- FiretheGM

Yeah they were definitely the problem in 2006. Or in 2008, or 2009 when we had an experienced team that pushed for playoff spots.

Well that's the syndrome created by the management being content with the not making the playoffs the last few seasons. Cleaning house of all the veterans doesn't improve anything. I want to win, believe me. I just don't think "the young guns" can't do it on their own.
- Jack-artist

I think the guys they can call up can replace them easily not in all, but I also think they can add to other areas too which we suck in. I guess we will see what happens in the offseason.

I think the guys they can call up can replace them easily not in all, but I also think they can add to other areas too which we suck in. I guess we will see what happens in the offseason.
- FiretheGM

That's just reaching now. Those guys are in the AHL for a reason. Come on, stop making me laugh.

Yeah they were definitely the problem in 2006. Or in 2008, or 2009 when we had an experienced team that pushed for playoff spots.
- Jack-artist

In 2008 we had young guys, and Hemsky played pretty well then, but all the other guys suck. Stoll Reasoner Pitkanen Gilbert were a big part of that back then, and in 2006 the whole team was the reason we went far. None of those guys we have now are what they were then or will ever be.

Yeah they were definitely the problem in 2006. Or in 2008, or 2009 when we had an experienced team that pushed for playoff spots.
- Jack-artist

That was YEARS ago, and most of those guys are no longer here... Guys like Hemsky, Horcoff, and Belanger have been complete dog sh1t this year.

That's just reaching now. Those guys are in the AHL for a reason. Come on, stop making me laugh.
- Jack-artist

Anyways I am to lazy to point out simple things to you, so think what you want.

Well that's the syndrome created by the management being content with the not making the playoffs the last few seasons. Cleaning house of all the veterans doesn't improve anything. I want to win, believe me. I just don't think "the young guns" can't do it on their own.
- Jack-artist

You're right, we need vets but the group we have doesn't pick this team up when things go poorly. It just can't get worse than it has been. We have been patient for 5 years, I would just be happy with meaningful games in march and a 10/11th finish. We are just such a doormat that the future stars are either going to bolt or learn how to loose. I would rather have passion with little experience than the opposite. I just can't watch Hemsky try and skate through defenders and get rejected time after time for much longer...


just frustration...

but...
when you stick with the team through the tough and they finally win, it will be so sweet..

can't be a bandwagon jumper ever.

Really those likely to leave could consist of Whitney, Belanger, Jones, Hemsky or Smyth, Hordichuk, Peckham, Potter, Barker
- freelancer

If that's what you're making available for trades don't expect much in return. At least not enough to help in any significant way and certainly no stars/young potentials.

This split locker room syndrome, for the coach against the coach, it's all becoming rather cyclical in Edmonton. Might it be more than just having the wrong coaches/players? Not hating, just asking.

If that's what you're making available for trades don't expect much in return. At least not enough to help in any significant way and certainly no stars/young potentials.

This split locker room syndrome, for the coach against the coach, it's all becoming rather cyclical in Edmonton. Might it be more than just having the wrong coaches/players? Not hating, just asking.
- AlexF

Don't think anyone really has a clue. If there are vets who are just cashing in and don't give a (frank) then they have to go, no matter what the return is.

If that's what you're making available for trades don't expect much in return. At least not enough to help in any significant way and certainly no stars/young potentials.

This split locker room syndrome, for the coach against the coach, it's all becoming rather cyclical in Edmonton. Might it be more than just having the wrong coaches/players? Not hating, just asking.
- AlexF

You dont need a return it opens up spots for younger guys to get a chance. Plus it would be during summer, they could free up cap and sign better players.

If that's what you're making available for trades don't expect much in return. At least not enough to help in any significant way and certainly no stars/young potentials.

This split locker room syndrome, for the coach against the coach, it's all becoming rather cyclical in Edmonton. Might it be more than just having the wrong coaches/players? Not hating, just asking.
- AlexF

I blame Joey Moss.

I blame Joey Moss.
- laughs2907

You dont need a return it opens up spots for younger guys to get a chance. Plus it would be during summer, they could free up cap and sign better players.
- FiretheGM

I suppose you could try to go the Dave Tallon route and sign a series of UFAs but it won't be the same trying to lure them north as opposed to beach weather all year long. Still, a few might come for the right price. If you can get an ace goalie it'll make a huge difference.

I'm always all for giving the future a chance but if they're not ready then you run the risk of burning them prematurely or, at the very least, with an entire team of green youth you'll be doubling the time it'll take before making the playoffs.

PIT got a series of top picks but didn't start winning until they were mixed in with the right vets. Same with CHI before they won. Poison is poison and I agree any whiners need to go. But if there's been any formula to success in the salary cap era, it's mixing in young studs (which you have) with solid vets.

That was YEARS ago, and most of those guys are no longer here... Guys like Hemsky, Horcoff, and Belanger have been complete dog sh1t this year.
- laughs2907

Horcoff and Belanger have played good for 3rd and 4th line centers, too bad they get 1st and 2nd line minutes. Both of their f/o and pk skills have brought respectability to the pk. I like Hemsky but he has been terrible this year and has brought almost nothing to the team. Jones seems to have lost his drive and that was the only thing he really had going for him. Smyth I don't think is a problem as he was on the ice in the last minute of the game. His numbers trailed off a lot but if he is playing 3rd line minutes next year he should last a bit longer.

Yeah they were definitely the problem in 2006. Or in 2008, or 2009 when we had an experienced team that pushed for playoff spots.
- Jack-artist

So you're inferring that it might be rnh, eberle, hall, petry?
Even smid or gagner?

Exactly.


This isnt that hard to figure out

I can see some people here are finally realizing Belanger is a waste of ice time and spot in this Oiler team,yes face-off blah blah....bring on the kids or get better Vets this off season....and people who doesn't see that there's a problem between players and the coach then are blind.

I hate to say it but we'd be (frank)ed defensively without some of the vets. Without them, we're basically Islanders west.

The comments tonight sound a lot like what's said by every other team in a slump. I've been known to freak out about this team too, but I think everyone needs to chill out. San Jose is a better team anyways. The real mental test will be Columbus on Wednesday *gulp*.
- Jack-artist

???
We're in 29th place. We've finished dead last 2 years running.

How much more fuked can we get?