Richard Cloutier: Oilers in 12-Team Race for 3rd

Im finally
fisting

Everytime I start to feel comfortable with Dubnyk, he goes and has a game like this. I understand even elite goalies have off nights, but it would be nice to see him go a big heater this year.

I've heard rumblings that perhaps Smid doesn't fit in as well as some people believe, and that a deal could occur because of it. The Oilers absolutely need to add a puck-mover who players the left side...Smid could be one of the assets moved to make that happen.
- Maxbone

If you mean personality wise, than that's complete bullsh1t

Richard Cloutier: Oilers in 12-Team Race for 3rd
- Maxbone

I can't say I think Smid will get $4 million. If you take a look at the few benchmark deals that have been signed during the latest CBA, you see that he's not worth that amount. Here are some examples:

John Erskine ($1.96 million)
PK Subban ($2.875 million)
Dmitry Kulikov ($2.5 million)
Cody Franson ($1.2 million)
Michael Del Zotto ($2.55 million)
Alex Edler ($5.0 million)
Kimmo Timonen ($6.0 million)

Now, what end of the spectrum would you place him at? Would you pay Smid more than you would Subban? I don't know about you, but I'm looking more towards what MDZ and Kulikov are getting.

quit the crack you hick (frank).

If you mean personality wise, than that's complete bullsh1t
- laughs2907

That's exactly what I thought too.

Everytime I start to feel comfortable with Dubnyk, he goes and has a game like this. I understand even elite goalies have off nights, but it would be nice to see him go a big heater this year.
- Dangles13

When Luongo has a night off he really lets you know. 8 is pretty high, but I bet he was going for 9

i cant wrap my head around NOT trying to make a move and acquire a vet player that could help this team get into the playoffs.
how in any way (other than a poorer draft position-which shouldnt be our priority anyway) would this hurt the rebuild? learning to win, confidence for the kids, something tangible for the fans etc etc

year 1 of a rebuild is one thing, year three with 3 first overalls and ur young core in place is something entirely different.
why are we waiting for next year? how does failing this year make us better long term? ebs and hall are signed long term. nuge, yaks and schultz all still have time left on the contracts.

if they have a target this offseason, then i suppose thats one valid reason. but this is edm, what guarantees do they have that said big fish will sign?

The top 6 are okay? No Richard.... Wrong my friend.

It's not that there is not a ton of skill on the oilers tops 6. There is absolutely.
It's experience. It's management aggressiveness. Your blog represents the problem with the current structure of the oilers roster.... No clear calculated vision.

Yes... I am calling you out..... In the same way management needs to be called out.
The plan to develop through the draft is a sound one. The Oilers would not get the type of quality players they have acquired through bombing seasons for high picks easily. No teams would.
Hall, Nuge, yakupov, Gagner, help draw in young players like Shultz and will make it easier to continue to draw players to the team like Shultz. The issues isn't in the youth. The issue is in the aggressiveness to build success. Every real contender in the NHL and in sport in general is aggressive in bringing in veteran quality today. Not tomorrow and not next year.
Lets discuss jones and petrel. Cheap quality depth. No problem there..... So why rag on them? Not the issue. Most playoff teams would be pleased to add Quality depth for the third/fourth line befor a potential run. Ask a leaf fan if jones would be welcome before a potential shot at the playoffs.... They would eat him up. Go ahead and trade a guy like jones... Good luck replacing him.... Or petrel.

Lets discuss the weaknesses on the oil.... Center issues. The Nuge is hurt, or overwhelmed, or overplayed, or in a sophomore slump. Address it. Now, not tomorrow. Now. I would put him on the ir.... Give Gagner the top line.... He's earned the opportunity. Then I would aggressively add a second line centre for this year. Paajarvi, a quality young defensive prospect, mid round picks, harti, hemsky, Whitney, and a number of young prospects, can and should be available to improve this team aggressively. Bring in veteran talent.

Sure there is potential for many of the oilers depth to play regularly In The nhl..... Just not on the oil. The best trades and moves are win win win. Both teams and the players benefit.

But hey. It's a season ruining road trip. No worries about improving the team to handle it. No need to shake it up and send the message that this is a now team and organization. No worries about taking a good look at championship sports teams and build on that model.

The oil are coming up. There can't be a problem with more quality draft picks can there. Oh wait.... Yup the problem is Ryan jones. Right Richard?

The top 6 are okay? No Richard.... Wrong my friend.

It's not that there is not a ton of skill on the oilers tops 6. There is absolutely.
It's experience. It's management aggressiveness. Your blog represents the problem with the current structure of the oilers roster.... No clear calculated vision.

Yes... I am calling you out..... In the same way management needs to be called out.
The plan to develop through the draft is a sound one. The Oilers would not get the type of quality players they have acquired through bombing seasons for high picks easily. No teams would.
Hall, Nuge, yakupov, Gagner, help draw in young players like Shultz and will make it easier to continue to draw players to the team like Shultz. The issues isn't in the youth. The issue is in the aggressiveness to build success. Every real contender in the NHL and in sport in general is aggressive in bringing in veteran quality today. Not tomorrow and not next year.
Lets discuss jones and petrel. Cheap quality depth. No problem there..... So why rag on them? Not the issue. Most playoff teams would be pleased to add Quality depth for the third/fourth line befor a potential run. Ask a leaf fan if jones would be welcome before a potential shot at the playoffs.... They would eat him up. Go ahead and trade a guy like jones... Good luck replacing him.... Or petrel.

Lets discuss the weaknesses on the oil.... Center issues. The Nuge is hurt, or overwhelmed, or overplayed, or in a sophomore slump. Address it. Now, not tomorrow. Now. I would put him on the ir.... Give Gagner the top line.... He's earned the opportunity. Then I would aggressively add a second line centre for this year. Paajarvi, a quality young defensive prospect, mid round picks, harti, hemsky, Whitney, and a number of young prospects, can and should be available to improve this team aggressively. Bring in veteran talent.

Sure there is potential for many of the oilers depth to play regularly In The nhl..... Just not on the oil. The best trades and moves are win win win. Both teams and the players benefit.

But hey. It's a season ruining road trip. No worries about improving the team to handle it. No need to shake it up and send the message that this is a now team and organization. No worries about taking a good look at championship sports teams and build on that model.

The oil are coming up. There can't be a problem with more quality draft picks can there. Oh wait.... Yup the problem is Ryan jones. Right Richard?
- itsmeshibby

U are spot on, cant just win with talent, need role players to help form team.
Oilers are super-talented, but lack D and size and little more experience goalie.
Dubynk is good, needs more experience and will get better, he could be your future goalie.

The Blues are a better team. Better D, better goalie and better forward depth.

Not that you could tell if you watched us the previous game. Although our entire second line being out tonight and last night with injury didn't help.

Im finally
fisting
- oilersfann

If you mean personality wise, than that's complete bullsh1t
- laughs2907

The thing about him saying we need a puck moving left defenseman means that you give up the one guy who on some nights blocks more shots than the goalies make saves, and is one of the few d-men on the team that plays a gritty tough game, and they are gonna trade him for a puck mover? Yeah great idea, lets give up a guy who actually prevents goals for a guy who will provide more scoring, but give up more goals. Great logic

I can't say I think Smid will get $4 million. If you take a look at the few benchmark deals that have been signed during the latest CBA, you see that he's not worth that amount. Here are some examples:

John Erskine ($1.96 million)
PK Subban ($2.875 million)
Dmitry Kulikov ($2.5 million)
Cody Franson ($1.2 million)
Michael Del Zotto ($2.55 million)
Alex Edler ($5.0 million)
Kimmo Timonen ($6.0 million)

Now, what end of the spectrum would you place him at? Would you pay Smid more than you would Subban? I don't know about you, but I'm looking more towards what MDZ and Kulikov are getting.
- MaximumBone

good thinking. Ide say defensivly he brings more then some of them but defensivly he does alot. 3 years at under 3 million and ide be happy. I also think robyn reger would be a good ufa signing this off season

Youve lost it man! The bottom 6 is the reason we're losing? Have you ever played competiive hockey? Even midgets? Your top six are supposed provide most the offense, bottom six energy and don't get scored on. The bottom six arnt the reason we're not in a Playoff spot. I get that you're entertainment, but you are so far off on a hockey level it's getting hard to read. You are an oilers fan right?

People (including me) keep talking about going out to get that big centre....who is he? Who? I've looked quite a few times and there really isn't anyone out there that isn't a HUGE trade that would involve EDM's "untouchables".

A lot of that "go out and get our big Centerman" talk is rhetoric...every team is looking for that guy.

People (including me) keep talking about going out to get that big center....who is he? Who? I've looked quite a few times and there really isn't anyone out there that isn't a HUGE trade that would involve EDM's "untouchables".

A lot of that "go out and get our big Centerman" talk is rhetoric...every team is looking for that guy.
- JLO961

If you mean personality wise, than that's complete bullsh1t
- laughs2907

Complete bullpoop! Wtf would someone make that up for. Smid is one of our best players, well liked, a leader, wants to be in Edmonton, has a crazy amount of heart, sticks up for his teammates... But let's make up stuff and try to run him out of town. Richard you are a fukin joke. Shame on you.

Complete bullpoop! Wtf would someone make that up for. Smid is one of our best players, well liked, a leader, wants to be in Edmonton, has a crazy amount of heart, sticks up for his teammates... But let's make up stuff and try to run him out of town. Richard you are a fukin joke. Shame on you.
- Ihatebrianburke

Markov is available. So are Moen and Gionta. Maybe Eller but at this point, you would have to overpay for him. He's becoming the 3rd/2nd line big center we will need behind Galchenyuk and Plekanec.

Markov is available. So are Moen and Gionta. Maybe Eller but at this point, you would have to overpay for him. He's becoming the 3rd/2nd line big center we will need behind Galchenyuk and Plekanec.
- soad_live

I think the point is to make the Oilers better, and to do it with the long term success of the team in mind. None of the players you mentioned provide what the Oilers are looking for.

I can't say I think Smid will get $4 million. If you take a look at the few benchmark deals that have been signed during the latest CBA, you see that he's not worth that amount. Here are some examples:

John Erskine ($1.96 million)
PK Subban ($2.875 million)
Dmitry Kulikov ($2.5 million)
Cody Franson ($1.2 million)
Michael Del Zotto ($2.55 million)
Alex Edler ($5.0 million)
Kimmo Timonen ($6.0 million)

Now, what end of the spectrum would you place him at? Would you pay Smid more than you would Subban? I don't know about you, but I'm looking more towards what MDZ and Kulikov are getting.
- MaximumBone

Comparing the UFAs with RFA isnt accurate. Smid has all theleverge in this. Look at the deals Wiz, Garriso, komi got. Smid is better then all these guys. I'd be shockd if he didn't get between 4.5 nd 5

I think the point is to make the Oilers better, and to do it with the long term success of the team in mind. None of the players you mentioned provide what the Oilers are looking for.
- systemtool

You want great 26-27 years old veterans?? ok i see. Then you will need one of your top 6 to get that or your first round choice.

You want great 26-27 years old veterans?? ok i see. Then you will need one of your top 6 to get that or your first round choice.
- soad_live

I'll agree with this. Guy like Gionta would be a nice fit in edm. I stated this a few week back and got mixed responses, trade Yaks for the Schenn boys. I know Yaks in great. But Schenn is as well and is gritty. L Schenn adds a young top 4 d.

Does to many young stars....which the oilers have ....act as a detrement to each others development.....I ask because in the games I have watched RNH seems to have taken a step back....as his stats clearly show.....no dought this kid will be a very good NHL er for along time, but may not have the same impact in Edmonton as he would have somewhere else where he is "the" guy.....Not a knock , just an observation ....and more of a question for cloutier who obviously watches all the Oiler games.