Richard Cloutier: What's Worse: The Coaching, the Players or the Management?

Eberle and RNH suffering from the sophmore slump, they don't look right? They just took the best team in the league to overtime, it'll come.

The management. They need to surround these young stars, with veterans to learn from. It's not enough, to put your top 6 out there and have them all under 22 years of age. That's a management issue.

Eberle and RNH suffering from the sophmore slump, they don't look right? They just took the best team in the league to overtime, it'll come.
- LeftCoaster

This is Eberle's third season.

This is Eberle's third season.
- Maxbone

Oh sorry I don't follow that closely. But he just seems to be a step or a move behind what he was doing last year???

Oh sorry I don't follow that closely. But he just seems to be a step or a move behind what he was doing last year???
- LeftCoaster

I'm not sure just what exactly the issue is. I know Nuge not being healthy is hurting offensive production on the entire line. Maybe Eberle is trying too hard? Not sure exactly what the issue is.

Oh sorry I don't follow that closely. But he just seems to be a step or a move behind what he was doing last year???
- LeftCoaster

He's fine now, last year he just had a good run of form (and a high SH%) causing people to believe he was a bonafide superstar. This year, him and his line haven't converted as many chances causing people to think they're not as good, but they're still good. Eberle didn't play good at all today, and he's had a few off games, but so has RNH. Youth, inconsistency, no Hall to hammer the puck down the other team's throats, are factors. I think Hall really makes that line thrive, especially when they're matched up against other top lines.

please hire ruff and try to get gilman away from vancity

He's fine now, last year he just had a good run of form (and a high SH%) causing people to believe he was a bonafide superstar. This year, him and his line haven't converted as many chances causing people to think they're not as good, but they're still good. Eberle didn't play good at all today, and he's had a few off games, but so has RNH. Youth, inconsistency, no Hall to hammer the puck down the other team's throats, are factors. I think Hall really makes that line thrive, especially when they're matched up against other top lines.
- Jack-artist

I didn't watch tonight's game but they continually try to make tsn's highlight of the night. They won in Phoenix because thy shot more.

Maybe it's time we deal from a position of strength. Maybe 2 or 3 solid pieces are better than one great piece. Especially when we have other great pieces Existing.

I wrote this on the last blog but we are seeing how taking bpa and not dealing from a position of strength is not allowing us to take a step forward. Especially when we have the 1st overall pick on the 4th line playing like 5 min 5 on 5.

Not sure which game you were watching Clouts... but I will have to respectfully disagree with your assessment... Khabi was, for once, absolutely not responsible for this loss.

You can't honestly be complaining about Khabi. The guy was solid. 1 unlucky goal, but saved a lot of great chances. The oilers were outmatched not Khabi's fault in the slightest.

Also size didn't play a factor at all. Honestly the lost because of speed. They didn't win 1 race to the puck the whole night. Hall was severely missed in that aspect.

Eberle and RNH suffering from the sophmore slump, they don't look right? They just took the best team in the league to overtime, it'll come.
- LeftCoaster

this is eberles third year. he had a monster sophmore year

Eberle and RNH suffering from the sophmore slump, they don't look right? They just took the best team in the league to overtime, it'll come.
- LeftCoaster

this is eberles third year. he had a monster sophmore year

Not sure which game you were watching Clouts... but I will have to respectfully disagree with your assessment... Khabi was, for once, absolutely not responsible for this loss.
- OilDerek

bulin stood strong. he's making a case for himself he can still compete being 40. he likes to finish his career in a strong fashion and possibly make one last run for a cup. he is slowly showing some value and edm can consider trading him at deadline if he continues strong goaltending.

I'm not sure just what exactly the issue is. I know Nuge not being healthy is hurting offensive production on the entire line. Maybe Eberle is trying too hard? Not sure exactly what the issue is.
- Maxbone

You mean like when you try too hard to take a pee pee but the prostate is just too swollen???

The management. They need to surround these young stars, with veterans to learn from. It's not enough, to put your top 6 out there and have them all under 22 years of age. That's a management issue.
- PrinceLH

ding ding. they need quality veterans who are still able to contribute. While they followed the draft high model like pittsburgh and chicago they haven't surrounded their youth with nearly as quality players as those teams.

this is eberles third year. he had a monster sophmore year
- hugefemale dog77

Ya Richard corrected me there, I thought it was his second year. Regardless, he doesn't look the same/ Just slightly off for some reason.

Further to the Khabi comment... I cannot even begin to understand your outright hatred for Eager. He is the physical embodiement of everything this team lacks...

He has size, he has speed, and he hits... he most always finishes his checks. As for defending Yaks on the Carcillo hit... it wasn't even that bad.

Eager, in my opinion, should get a shot on the second line.

bulin stood strong. he's making a case for himself he can still compete being 40. he likes to finish his career in a strong fashion and possibly make one last run for a cup. he is slowly showing some value and edm can consider trading him at deadline if he continues strong goaltending.
- deks1

I bet that old fart has a couple playoff games left in him that he could steal.

bulin stood strong. he's making a case for himself he can still compete being 40. he likes to finish his career in a strong fashion and possibly make one last run for a cup. he is slowly showing some value and edm can consider trading him at deadline if he continues strong goaltending.
- deks1

Agreed... the guy is trying... what more can one ask? The overtime goal was a comedy of defensive errors on Petry and to a lesser extent, Smid.

I don't care how great you think Duby is... give Hossa three cracks at the net, point blank, and its gonna go in...

We've seen it before... as soon as they get running around chasing the puck it is only a matter of time. I called the goal 5 seconds before it happened...

Rich you are way off.. Not saying khabby is our long term starter, but he played fantastic tonight, and his team let him down tonight well d zone breakdowns and not being able to get pucks into the offensive zone.

Hemsky isn't going anywhere this year and especially not for nino. Dunno what your hard on is for him, but when is enough youth enough. You need some kind of vets.

tonight was proof positive what a star vet like hossa does for a young team and HAS been doing since he was signed. provides more star power and insulates the young kids if they have an off game.
this is exactly the type of big move the oilers should be looking at. i realize waiting for free agency means u dont have to give up assets, but theres no guarantee the guy we want signs here..and players gotta get dropped to make space anyway.

screw the picks. if we finish bottom 5, its a disaster of a year and we're entering islanders territory with forever struggling.
and if we're looking at an 8ish pick, chances are the kid wouldnt make an impact for a year or two anyway. so he wouldnt be helping push this team to the heights its meant to be by next year.

even klefbom might not be part of this team next year. that could take time for sure. and most likely will take time to actually make an impact. cant bank on him right away like clouts seems to be

and what do we have to really gain by selling at the deadline? more picks that are mid to late first and lower? these dont help anytime soon most likely.
teams in the hunt dont generally deal roster player if theyre makin a run. maybe a nhl ready prospect that can step in next year i suppose...

of course its risky to go after an impact player and u certainly gotta pay, but holy fuk, tambs needs to roll the dice at some point. what has he really done that a monkey couldnt do?
sit on his hands and get firsts and fill holes with marginal players.
why wouldnt we be trying to make the playoffs this year? thats ludicrous!
not tryin to make the playoffs?? this is year 3! ur fukin fired.

i say move the pick and an asset if the right deal comes around.

I BLAME SOCIETY

Trade RNH! He's a bum!

please hire ruff and try to get gilman away from vancity
- shill-17

NO! HE'S OUR CAP WEASEL YOU CAN'T HAVE HIM GO AWAY

Hemsky isn't going anywhere this year and especially not for nino. Dunno what your hard on is for him, but when is enough youth enough. You need some kind of vets.

Exactly! I don't understand this fascination with bringing in more young, inexperienced, un-proven "talent."

This team has veterans... but not the type that we need at this point in development. To be honest, I had hopes that Smyth might be enough to nurture these kids... foster their development.... build their confidence. But he looks just as lost and just as nervous as they do. He is not a calming influence...

Bring in a player like Iginla, Marleau, Selanne, Alfredson... and I think you would see this team flourish. Easier said then done I know... but this is what we are lacking.