Not to mention Edmonton still has a great prospect pool (not as good as florida's) while having young stars in the NHL. None of Florida's prospects are on ELCs yet.

Further, Florida has been so tight fisted for so long that Tallon had no mess to clean up whatsoever. No cap issues, no big re-signings on the horizon, essentially a blank slate. Bringing in Brian Campbell isn't a luxury the oilers have with players on ELCs and bad contracts from the lowe era.
- Morris

Florida was pretty much the only team Campbell would go to. That's because of his relationship with Tallon.

I also don't think FLO is by any means out of trouble. They could very well end up being a bottom 3 or 4 team in the East next year.

We don't but we also understand that big contracts for 'now's players at this stage is unwise. There aremoves I wish he would have been in on, but Edmonton is also not exactly a free agent hotbed and our best trade pieces that would actually fetch value are players we would be stupid to trade, especially right now.

They've reached a stage now though, where an acquisition or three is necessary. Another lottery finish is flat out unacceptable. If he does nothing all summer, expect Oil Country to start calling for the heads of him and Lowe. I wouldn't be remotely opposed to MacT running things. He's a very sharp guy.
- sanfordnson

I'm not even talking big moves or big free agent acquisitions. Moves like the Turris deal for example was one made in Ottawa that identified a lack of second line center moving forward and addressed a need. Or the acquisition of Bishop, who probably would have been a great addition in EDM for a second round pick. Tell me Tambo wouldn't have made that deal if he knew it existed? Even Craig Anderson last year for nothing of value on our team. If Anderson was your goalie this year, you'd probably be in a far better spot.

To me, it just seems like things get done elsewhere and never in EDM. As Lahey puts it, FAs dont want to sign there because of weather or whatever, Thats fine. But these deals weren't FA signings, they were players who wanted to play somewhere, players who wanted to have a home where the team believed in them. Murray found out about them and inquired and made the necessary deal to get them here.

This is what I mean by being an active GM. Scouring the globe to make the team better. I just don't see these types of moves happening in EDM. They aren't moves for today but moves to build a future with, things that build a foundation so that when the draft picks come of age, they aren't the ones counted on to also lead the charge. They aren't moves that change the rebuild focus, just help move it along. Its what makes Murray a quality GM and helps highlight what Tambo isn't doing.

Fair enough- but if I were Lander or Nuge I would be practicing draws with those 2 for the entire season... trying different things to get it right... Did anyone see the awards last night... SAM (frank)ING GAGNER WAS ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS IN THE NHL THIS YEAR!!!!!!!!!! - We cant have threads with out SG in it... It would not be right....
- saskoil21

I wonder if MacT starts working with these kids. The year we went to the cup final he really worked with the players with the little things.

Heck when the coaching staff was about to be fired, they sat there and shot pucks at the players for most of a practice. Ended up working quite well, Simpson, Huddy and MacT got to take their anger out on the players and the players learned how to block shots.

Julie Stewart-Binks ‏@JSB_CTV
Spent the morning with some NHL scouts. They think its 50/50 Ryan Murray is drafted first overall. #NHLDraft

I'm not even talking big moves or big free agent acquisitions. Moves like the Turris deal for example was one made in Ottawa that identified a lack of second line center moving forward and addressed a need. Or the acquisition of Bishop, who probably would have been a great addition in EDM for a second round pick. Tell me Tambo wouldn't have made that deal if he knew it existed? Even Craig Anderson last year for nothing of value on our team. If Anderson was your goalie this year, you'd probably be in a far better spot.

To me, it just seems like things get done elsewhere and never in EDM. As Lahey puts it, FAs dont want to sign there because of weather or whatever, Thats fine. But these deals weren't FA signings, they were players who wanted to play somewhere, players who wanted to have a home where the team believed in them. Murray found out about them and inquired and made the necessary deal to get them here.

This is what I mean by being an active GM. Scouring the globe to make the team better. I just don't see these types of moves happening in EDM. They aren't moves for today but moves to build a future with, things that build a foundation so that when the draft picks come of age, they aren't the ones counted on to also lead the charge. They aren't moves that change the rebuild focus, just help move it along. Its what makes Murray a quality GM and helps highlight what Tambo isn't doing.
- Lohaus

No one in Edmonton wanted Turris other than Pilgor, and I don't think we had the pieces to acquire Rundblad. Bishop, meh. Anderson was a project. If we are acquiring a goalie we need someone clear cut better than DD, not a maybe.

Julie Stewart-Binks ‏@JSB_CTV
Spent the morning with some NHL scouts. They think its 50/50 Ryan Murray is drafted first overall. #NHLDraft
- saskoil21

Meh, not a shock.

Наиль Якупов ‏@Nail10_1993
Meting with : NYI, Carolina , Toronto


Last night Nail had this chick being very fwd with him on Twitter - she was asking if he could teach her Russian etc... but what she really meant was give her some Russian

No one in Edmonton wanted Turris other than Pilgor, and I don't think we had the pieces to acquire Rundblad. Bishop, meh. Anderson was a project. If we are acquiring a goalie we need someone clear cut better than DD, not a maybe.
- Lahey

Well, thats fine. All three have worked out nice for us so I guess being active pays off. Anyways, I'll take the GM who is out there trying to get thigns done and you can keep your boy Tambo.

Darren Dreger ‏@DarrenDreger
Bobby Ryan and Rick Nash linked. Same teams in on both, so, if one goes, the other may move soon after.

And Tracy (Treenasoil) was on a real roll last night she must have tweeted 10 BS oil trade proposals- Smid to the Lightning, Gillis wanting #1 pick for Luongo, teams interested in Hemsky, Calgary looking into Belanger and Omark...

Well, thats fine. All three have worked out nice for us so I guess being active pays off. Anyways, I'll take the GM who is out there trying to get thigns done and you can keep your boy Tambo.
- Lohaus

This is the summer for him to be active.

This is the summer for him to be active.
- Lahey

...I guess we'll see.

Darren Dreger ‏@DarrenDreger
Bobby Ryan and Rick Nash linked. Same teams in on both, so, if one goes, the other may move soon after.
- saskoil21

Makes a lot of sense.

I'd be tempted to trade them for each other.

Meh, not a shock.
- Lahey

MBS didn't sound that high on Murray in Brownlee's blog.

I'm not even talking big moves or big free agent acquisitions. Moves like the Turris deal for example was one made in Ottawa that identified a lack of second line center moving forward and addressed a need. Or the acquisition of Bishop, who probably would have been a great addition in EDM for a second round pick. Tell me Tambo wouldn't have made that deal if he knew it existed? Even Craig Anderson last year for nothing of value on our team. If Anderson was your goalie this year, you'd probably be in a far better spot.

To me, it just seems like things get done elsewhere and never in EDM. As Lahey puts it, FAs dont want to sign there because of weather or whatever, Thats fine. But these deals weren't FA signings, they were players who wanted to play somewhere, players who wanted to have a home where the team believed in them. Murray found out about them and inquired and made the necessary deal to get them here.

This is what I mean by being an active GM. Scouring the globe to make the team better. I just don't see these types of moves happening in EDM. They aren't moves for today but moves to build a future with, things that build a foundation so that when the draft picks come of age, they aren't the ones counted on to also lead the charge. They aren't moves that change the rebuild focus, just help move it along. Its what makes Murray a quality GM and helps highlight what Tambo isn't doing.
- Lohaus

Oilers have a second line center as good and probably better than Turris, they also have Stu MacGregor as a scout who can probably take the 2nd round pick and do more with it than another goalie prospect. Yes we could use another in the system but we have Bunz and Roy right now with reigns being handed to DD for the year.

Every Oiler fan would love for Tambi to have made some moves to improve the team but he stuck to his plan. Yes it sucks but hopefully it pays off in the long run and the team becomes a cup contender for a decade or 2 because of it.

Oilers have a second line center as good and probably better than Turris, they also have Stu MacGregor as a scout who can probably take the 2nd round pick and do more with it than another goalie prospect. Yes we could use another in the system but we have Bunz and Roy right now with reigns being handed to DD for the year.

Every Oiler fan would love for Tambi to have made some moves to improve the team but he stuck to his plan. Yes it sucks but hopefully it pays off in the long run and the team becomes a cup contender for a decade or 2 because of it.
- abware

If you read what I said about Turris, I didn't say the Oilers should trade for him, I pointed out that Murray identified a need and addressed it with a long term solution.

And as for sticking with the plan, its easy to stick to doing nothing and picking firs toverall. Doesn't take any skill or ability.

No one in Edmonton wanted Turris other than Pilgor, and I don't think we had the pieces to acquire Rundblad. Bishop, meh. Anderson was a project. If we are acquiring a goalie we need someone clear cut better than DD, not a maybe.
- Lahey

Yeah what were we supposed to do, trade Gagner for Rundblad (and a 2nd)? That creates a hole in the centres, our defense still isn't great and we still finish last.

If you read what I said about Turris, I didn't say the Oilers should trade for him, I pointed out that Murray identified a need and addressed it with a long term solution.

And as for sticking with the plan, its easy to stick to doing nothing and picking firs toverall. Doesn't take any skill or ability.
- Lohaus

But you GET skill and ability back that way without giving up anything...

MBS didn't sound that high on Murray in Brownlee's blog.
- Zombie

Yep, if we take Murray it will be ST/Lowe that want him.

Yeah what were we supposed to do, trade Gagner for Rundblad (and a 2nd)? That creates a hole in the centres, our defense still isn't great and we still finish last.
- Morris

Again, if you read what I said about Turris, I didn't say the Oilers should trade for him, I pointed out that Murray identified a need and addressed it with a long term solution. Pro-active Gm'ing.

If you read what I said about Turris, I didn't say the Oilers should trade for him, I pointed out that Murray identified a need and addressed it with a long term solution.

And as for sticking with the plan, its easy to stick to doing nothing and picking firs toverall. Doesn't take any skill or ability.
- Lohaus

I agree with this.

Im not saying what Tambo has done is stupid. He has three stars in the making by sitting on his hands. But I also believe that nearly anyone could do what Tambo has done.

But you GET skill and ability back that way without giving up anything...
- saskoil21

Just years...

Yep, if we take Murray it will be ST/Lowe that want him.
- Lahey

Interesting take from Gregors stating that he thinks Galy is in the mix... he lists the top 3 and Stu evidently told him its the closest its ever been and that Yaks is not a slam dunk...

Again, if you read what I said about Turris, I didn't say the Oilers should trade for him, I pointed out that Murray identified a need and addressed it with a long term solution. Pro-active Gm'ing.
- Lohaus

Traded for Turris isn't much different than drafting a player. Turris is far from a solution. He has potential, but that's it.

I agree with this.

Im not saying what Tambo has done is stupid. He has three stars in the making by sitting on his hands. But I also believe that nearly anyone could do what Tambo has done.
- Leafs43

Maybe Tambo had his hands tied... Its hard to know the whole story... but where we are now I think is way better than the Heatley, Pronger poop of the past... and players will WANT to sign with and play for the Oil - some already have