Since Lahey has been bumping those dead threads lately, I've decided to make a bold prediction that will may make me look like a fool:

The Oilers will go 36-35-11 next year for 83 points and 22nd place. They will finish not finish last in the Northwest and have six 50+ point players (Hall, Nuge, Ebs, Gagner, Hemsky and Yakupov). They will allow about 3 goals a game though, unfortunately.

Since Lahey has been bumping those dead threads lately, I've decided to make a bold prediction that will may make me look like a fool:

The Oilers will go 36-35-11 next year for 83 points and 22nd place. They will finish not finish last in the Northwest and have six 50+ point players (Hall, Nuge, Ebs, Gagner, Hemsky and Yakupov). They will allow about 3 goals a game though, unfortunately.
- Morris

I do believe the Oilers will be a better team next season, and your number is pretty close to correct. I'm predicting 82pts, which will be good for around 23rd place. Yakupov will win the Calder Trophy...in a walk, actually. Soft draft class + instant Top 6 role = 30g as a rookie.

There won't be anything wrong with the Oilers offense next season. If they don't/can't upgrade the D this summer, and don't get bigger and meaner, especially in the Bottom 6, the goals against total is going to be awful.

Well played sir. Nice to see someone who backs up their opinions with coherent thought. It must be mind numbingly frustrating for you however when you are writing concise paragraphs and they are responded to by one or two sentences using big words like "he sucks"
- ruttager17

Oilers vets under MacT went to sleep and stopped caring about winning. The passive, limp Renney was completely unable to fire up the passion of the vets.

This has to be the most moronic thing you've ever written.
And that's saying something because there has been plenty of competition.

The Oilers lost because they weren't good enough.
They didn't have enough players.
They haven't started the year with a decent, complete line-up since the Cup run.
At least one area is lousy with acouple of others lacking in depth.

They were never making the play-offs.

And the Coach had zero to do with it.

This has to be the most moronic thing you've ever written.
- Seldom Beaton

Oh no it isn't. Not even close.

Oilers vets under MacT went to sleep and stopped caring about winning. The passive, limp Renney was completely unable to fire up the passion of the vets.

This has to be the most moronic thing you've ever written.
And that's saying something because there has been plenty of competition.

The Oilers lost because they weren't good enough.
They didn't have enough players.
They haven't started the year with a decent, complete line-up since the Cup run.
At least one area is lousy with acouple of others lacking in depth.

They were never making the play-offs.

And the Coach had zero to do with it.
- Seldom Beaton

Well a lot of local media said this yesterday. And it's true. No one is saying they should've made the playoffs every year, but the vets quit MacT's last year.

Yes they weren't good enough, but when guys aren't playing 100% you run into problems.

I do believe the Oilers will be a better team next season, and your number is pretty close to correct. I'm predicting 82pts, which will be good for around 23rd place. Yakupov will win the Calder Trophy...in a walk, actually. Soft draft class + instant Top 6 role = 30g as a rookie.

There won't be anything wrong with the Oilers offense next season. If they don't/can't upgrade the D this summer, and don't get bigger and meaner, especially in the Bottom 6, the goals against total is going to be awful.
- Maxbone

I know your hating the games, but are you even watching the playoffs?

Chris Kreider looks (frank)ing scary.

Theres also Dougie Hamliton, Etem, Baertschi, Saad, Huberdeau, Markstrom, Granlund, Tarasenko, Scheifle.....

Not to mention Murray, Grigorenko, Galenyuk, and Forsberg. While not all of these guys will even be in the NHL next year, Yakupov by no means will have a "walk" to the Calder.

Oh no it isn't. Not even close.
- Maxbone

I agree, although I also agree with your statement. So maybe I'm a moron too, although we knew that already.

I know your hating the games, but are you even watching the playoffs?

Chris Kreider looks (frank)ing scary.

Theres also Dougie Hamliton, Etem, Baertschi, Saad, Huberdeau, Markstrom, Granlund, Tarasenko, Scheifle.....

Not to mention Murray, Grigorenko, Galenyuk, and Forsberg. While not all of these guys will even be in the NHL next year, Yakupov by no means will have a "walk" to the Calder.
- mochoson

Hey, only Oilers prospects deserve hype. It's the golden rule.

Hey, only Oilers prospects deserve hype. It's the golden rule.
- Jack-artist

Next years Calder race is going to be absolutely ridiculous.

Four way tie between Yakupov, Kreider, Granlund, and Huberdeau for me.

I thought it would be Huberdeaus to lose, but Kreider is making me think otherwise.

Next years Calder race is going to be absolutely ridiculous.

Four way tie between Yakupov, Kreider, Granlund, and Huberdeau for me.

I thought it would be Huberdeaus to lose, but Kreider is making me think otherwise.
- mochoson

Baretschi, Hamilton, Coyle, Galiev, Schultz etc...

Could be a good year for rookies.

Next years Calder race is going to be absolutely ridiculous.

Four way tie between Yakupov, Kreider, Granlund, and Huberdeau for me.

I thought it would be Huberdeaus to lose, but Kreider is making me think otherwise.
- mochoson

Kreider is looking good, but will he get the opportunity? The Rangers have middle of the road fire-power in terms of goals scored and LOTS of depth. I dunno if he'll get consistent top6/pp time

I do believe the Oilers will be a better team next season, and your number is pretty close to correct. I'm predicting 82pts, which will be good for around 23rd place. Yakupov will win the Calder Trophy...in a walk, actually. Soft draft class + instant Top 6 role = 30g as a rookie.

There won't be anything wrong with the Oilers offense next season. If they don't/can't upgrade the D this summer, and don't get bigger and meaner, especially in the Bottom 6, the goals against total is going to be awful.
- Maxbone

until the league changes its current policy regarding rookies it will be tough for a first year player stepping from junior to the nhl. guys can play in the Ahl and be a rookie at 23 after 4 years of pro and be considered for the calder the same year as a guy who comes straight from junior. kind of a joke

until the league changes its current policy regarding rookies it will be tough for a first year player stepping from junior to the nhl. guys can play in the Ahl and be a rookie at 23 after 4 years of pro and be considered for the calder the same year as a guy who comes straight from junior. kind of a joke
- ruttager17

So what do you do make the trophy for 18 year olds? What happens when the only 18 year old is a d-man that plays 20 games?

The calder trophy to me means very little in the big picture. Only one can win it, does mean if you don't that you are a bust. Lots of good players don't win the calder and end up being better than the winner.

97-98
Samsonov wins. Others that year Marleau, Ohlund, Elias, Phillips
98-99
Drury wins. Hejduk, Hossa, Briere, Lecavalier
99-00
Gomez wins. Gagne, Morrow, Rafalski, Tanguay.
00-01
Nabby wins. B.Richards, Havlat, Gaborik, Sisters
01-02
Heatley wins. Kovalchuk, Datsyuk, Cole
02-03
Jackman wins. Zetterburg, Nash, Hemsky, Spezza
03-04
Raycroft wins. Bergeron, Staal, Malone
05-06
Ovi wins. Crosby, Vanek, Geztlaf
06-07
Malkin wins. Statsny, Kopitar, Staal
07-08
Kane wins. Backstrom, Toew, E. Johnson.

Kreider is looking good, but will he get the opportunity? The Rangers have middle of the road fire-power in terms of goals scored and LOTS of depth. I dunno if he'll get consistent top6/pp time
- Morris

Hagelin-Richards-Gaborik
Kreider-Stepan-Callahan

He's gotta beat out Dubinsky and Anisimov for time. Not a daunting task.

Hagelin-Richards-Gaborik
Kreider-Stepan-Callahan

He's gotta beat out Dubinsky and Anisimov for time. Not a daunting task.
- mochoson

Rick Nash

Doug Hamilton is an interesting name on the list. OHL Defenseman of the Year. Huge body. And you're right, the Bruins really need a Top 6 RW.

Thing is, Hemsky doesn't get you Hamilton. It's more likely it would need to be one of the big four (Hall, Eberle, Nuge or the right to draft Yakupov) as part of the deal. I'm not sure if I'm dealing any of these four for player who is unproven at the NHL level. Defense is so much harder to learn and succeed at in the NHL.
- Maxbone

You don't think hemsky, klefbom/marancin/gernat and/or a draft pick would do it?

I heard that Lucic took a lot of heat for his performance during the playoffs. I'm wondering with Thomas getting close to 40 years old if there's a blockbuster deal available here?

Lucic/D.Hamilton/Thomas

for

hemsky, Gagner, Klefbom, khabibulin, 2nd rounder?

probably wishful thinking. hold on i think that's HF boards calling me back

Kreider is looking good, but will he get the opportunity? The Rangers have middle of the road fire-power in terms of goals scored and LOTS of depth. I dunno if he'll get consistent top6/pp time
- Morris

Hagelin-Richards-Gaborik
Kreider-Stepan-Callahan

He's gotta beat out Dubinsky and Anisimov for time. Not a daunting task.

You don't think hemsky, klefbom/marancin/gernat and/or a draft pick wouldn't do it?

I heard that Lucic took a lot of heat for his performance during the playoffs. I'm wondering with Thomas getting close to 40 years old if there's a blockbuster deal available here?

Lucic/D.Hamilton/Thomas

for

hemsky, Gagner, Klefbom, khabibulin, 2nd rounder?

probably wishful thinking. hold on i think that's HF boards calling me back
- kelholtz

I don't see Dougie Hamilton being dealt. He is one of the better d prospects around and Boston lacks someone that could potentially step in when Chara leaves. They won't be moving Hamilton unless you have one of the kids or the pick on the table.

Thomas probably could be had and I'd try Bulin+ for Thomas. Only problem is a contending team might try take him for one year and the cost could be a 1st rounder+. I don't do that if that's the case.

- mochoson

Don't need to write to book to explain that he sucks.

Rick Nash
- Lahey

Why on gods green earth would they do that trade?

Why on gods green earth would they do that trade?
- mochoson

Why were they so interesting at the TDD? He'll end up there, Slats needs to do something big this year.

Anybody else worried Management going to revert back to the Boys on the Bus and promote Bucky to Head Coach??

Anybody else worried Management going to revert back to the Boys on the Bus and promote Bucky to Head Coach??
- reissem11

nope, bucky is waaaaaaay too ugly to be doing post game press conferences

nope, bucky is waaaaaaay too ugly to be doing post game press conferences
- ruttager17

Well if appearances come into play, wouldn't that discount a lot of qualified coaches? I'm seriously worried - no way bucky would be an "associate" coach on any other team in the NHL and yet ther is was behind the Oil bench.....be groomed?