Matt Henderson: Oilers Not Afraid To Lose, Just Afraid Dallas Eakins said his team was afraid to lose. I disagree, they're just afraid to engage physically.

First

At least Nuge hits... I don't understand why Eakins doesn't sit Eberle for a game to make him hit someone.

went for some beers last night with the boys and it was the first time in a long time they didn't even bother trashing me/oilers.

a couple nuck fans, couple hab fans and a leafer in the group, so battles always ensue over drinks. when the red wings game came up briefly, they just looked like they felt sorry for me.

im on the side where we shouldn't just make small moves cause "its too late".
something drastic needs to change. this season cannot go on like this. we will fukin destroy these kids confidence and they'll never turn around till they ask for a trade and go somewhere else.

we're as bad as buffalo, but meant to be 3 years ahead in our rebuild.

Matt Henderson: Oilers Not Afraid To Lose, Just Afraid
Dallas Eakins said his team was afraid to lose. I disagree, they're just afraid to engage physically.
- Matt_Henderson

Great blog. It's about time someone actually said this. The Oilers don't need any more 3rd liners, or big d-men, or veterans.

They need their supposed leaders and skill guys to grow balls and play like men. The lack of effort and heart from the "untouchables" is appalling. You pay these guys like superstars...long before they're superstars...and what can you realistically expect from them? They've already cashed in.

Ryan Smyth is not the problem...nor was Shawn Horcoff or Ales Hemsky. It's RNH, Hall, Eberle and Yak. These are the leaders...they're the reason the Oilers are struggling.

Unfortunately this style of play is nothing new for the Oilers, they still have not addressed their lack of good physical players and over abundance of small , so called skilled forwards. Hindsight is always 20/20 of course , but maybe they should have chosen Landeskog over The Nug, because he is EXACTLY the style of player they need. I had season tickets in Edmonton from 2007 to 2012 and they are still the same small . soft team they have been for years. Patience has got to be running thin for the die hard Oiler fans. Hopefully they can trade a couple of their young guns to improve the D and address the need for harder to play against forwards. They of course also have to do something in regards to the goaltending situation.

Great blog. It's about time someone actually said this. The Oilers don't need any more 3rd liners, or big d-men, or veterans.

They need their supposed leaders and skill guys to grow balls and play like men. The lack of effort and heart from the "untouchables" is appalling. You pay these guys like superstars...long before they're superstars...and what can you realistically expect from them? They've already cashed in.

Ryan Smyth is not the problem...nor was Shawn Horcoff or Ales Hemsky. It's RNH, Hall, Eberle and Yak. These are the leaders...they're the reason the Oilers are struggling.
- djamon

Hit the nail on the head if those guys don't make the necessary changes to their games this team will never improve

Why are they, MacTavish & Lowe, so afraid to let go when they continue to lose with these youngish players?

Go out and trade for a guy like Jordan Staal, if his NTC is somewhat limited, there's a guys who's struggling but has proven to be a very good player. Send Gagner and Yakupov to Carolina for him. He's big, he's got a compete level not seen in Edmonton and he's won before.

Just make some changes!!! Even if it means you overpay a bit...

Why are they, MacTavish & Lowe, so afraid to let go when they continue to lose with these youngish players?

Go out and trade for a guy like Jordan Staal, if his NTC is somewhat limited, there's a guys who's struggling but has proven to be a very good player. Send Gagner and Yakupov to Carolina for him. He's big, he's got a compete level not seen in Edmonton and he's won before.

Just make some changes!!! Even if it means you overpay a bit...
- LeftCoaster

Gagner and Yak for Jordan Staal isn't a bit of an overpay, it's a lot of an overpay

Why are they, MacTavish & Lowe, so afraid to let go when they continue to lose with these youngish players?

Go out and trade for a guy like Jordan Staal, if his NTC is somewhat limited, there's a guys who's struggling but has proven to be a very good player. Send Gagner and Yakupov to Carolina for him. He's big, he's got a compete level not seen in Edmonton and he's won before.

Just make some changes!!! Even if it means you overpay a bit...
- LeftCoaster

Overpay a bit? lol

I don't disagree with the premise, but Jordan Staal won't change a thing on this team.

At least Nuge hits... I don't understand why Eakins doesn't sit Eberle for a game to make him hit someone.
- BigDre

Using this logic, Eakins would then have to pressbox Hall when he returns to the line up! 4 hits in 9 games for that fella!

I don't think it has to be all about hits for the top six group here but they have to be tougher to play against. Don't allow others to take liberties and find their inner Kenny Linesman!

Overpay a bit? lol

I don't disagree with the premise, but Jordan Staal won't change a thing on this team.
- djamon

It was more about change than the actual player, just an example.

Unfortunately this style of play is nothing new for the Oilers, they still have not addressed their lack of good physical players and over abundance of small , so called skilled forwards. Hindsight is always 20/20 of course , but maybe they should have chosen Landeskog over The Nug, because he is EXACTLY the style of player they need. I had season tickets in Edmonton from 2007 to 2012 and they are still the same small . soft team they have been for years. Patience has got to be running thin for the die hard Oiler fans. Hopefully they can trade a couple of their young guns to improve the D and address the need for harder to play against forwards. They of course also have to do something in regards to the goaltending situation.
- HawkfaninBC

I still think nuge will be better long term the problem is he shouldn't be the first line centre, look at Colorado ya stastny had struggled but he made it so duchene could go through the growing process without being the defacto number 1. Management in Edmonton hasn't provided a buffer for our younger players to grow at their own pace.

Gagner and Yak for Jordan Staal isn't a bit of an overpay, it's a lot of an overpay
- Matt_Henderson

As I said above, just an example of change. Something needs to happen, the fans have had about enough of this BS.

It was more about change than the actual player, just an example.
- LeftCoaster

Fair enough. I think this team does need some shock therapy to wake it up.

Using this logic, Eakins would then have to pressbox Hall when he returns to the line up! 4 hits in 9 games for that fella!

I don't think it has to be all about hits for the top six group here but they have to be tougher to play against. Don't allow others to take liberties and find their inner Kenny Linesman!
- Tapdog

Exactly. Take the puck to the tough areas and I'll be happy. Forecheck like you actually intend to get the puck back from the opposition and I'll be happy.

I don't think most of us are asking for too much here.

Fair enough. I think this team does need some shock therapy to wake it up.
- djamon

The organization is too complacent, fans have been so patient and our support deserves results. Every team has injuries Toronto has two of their top 3 centres out and you don't see them waving a white flag

I still think nuge will be better long term the problem is he shouldn't be the first line centre, look at Colorado ya stastny had struggled but he made it so duchene could go through the growing process without being the defacto number 1. Management in Edmonton hasn't provided a buffer for our younger players to grow at their own pace.
- patheticgirl43

You are 100% correct that management has been unable or unwilling to surround these young guys with enough quality veterans to provide leadership and the dedication to improve and eventually win.

Lack of size on the top 2 lines has been my concern for the past few years. With the other problems on D and in net, the lack of solid wingers has made team performance worse.
I've used the example of the Caps line of Grabo b/w Ward & Chimera as a line with speed & skill in the middle and size and speed on the wings. That is a very tough line for opponents to deal with. For us, we need to trade some young offensive stars to obtain help in all areas found lacking on the Team. We're to the point now that we'll probably have to overpay to get anyone who can fill our needs as management has simply waited far too long to address the situation.

Please fire Lowe, for starters!

The organization is too complacent, fans have been so patient and our support deserves results. Every team has injuries Toronto has two of their top 3 centres out and you don't see them waving a white flag
- patheticgirl43

I reserve the right to wave a white flag in the future.

You are 100% correct that management has been unable or unwilling to surround these young guys with enough quality veterans to provide leadership and the dedication to improve and eventually win.
- HawkfaninBC

IMO Chicago should be the template, guys like shaw and saad have a much greater chance of success because they can be eased in. If toews and Kane struggle they have sharp and hossa to pick up the slack. Functional depth is non-existent in Edmonton

The organization is too complacent, fans have been so patient and our support deserves results. Every team has injuries Toronto has two of their top 3 centres out and you don't see them waving a white flag
- patheticgirl43

I notice the leafs have very competitive players. They play hard and are a tough team to play against.

I think that is the major issue in Edm is not the goaltending.... They are too soft and don't have a high compete level. I'd be willing to part ways with Eberle and Yak in order to fix this problem.

The Defence needs to be tougher to play against and the forwards need to be more willing to the physical play on the fore check.

They need more guys like Gordon (obviously with more skill but the same attitude)

Exactly. Take the puck to the tough areas and I'll be happy. Forecheck like you actually intend to get the puck back from the opposition and I'll be happy.

I don't think most of us are asking for too much here.
- Matt_Henderson

Jeez at this point just play like you give a crap and I will be happy.

They have to be aggressive! Top six, don't take crap from anyone. There are more ways to create space without having to throw big hit. Play with an edge and maintain that, even when losing.
Bottom six, for the love of god play like you need a new contract, you are too simple to play against. You should be throwing the big hits, creating havoc to help change the flow but when the boys with size like Eager are lucky to have one hit a game it kind of explains matters...

Why are they, MacTavish & Lowe, so afraid to let go when they continue to lose with these youngish players?

Go out and trade for a guy like Jordan Staal, if his NTC is somewhat limited, there's a guys who's struggling but has proven to be a very good player. Send Gagner and Yakupov to Carolina for him. He's big, he's got a compete level not seen in Edmonton and he's won before.

Just make some changes!!! Even if it means you overpay a bit...
- LeftCoaster

I believe it has a lot to do with their age. it seems like the oilers have been losing forever, and while it has been far too long, its been these kids as 19, 20, 21 year olds leading the team by themselves with no help whatsoever.
it's easy to forget how young they are I think. it seems as though management still sees this as developing time (which in some ways it is. regardless of the much higher expectations we should've had) and sees huge pluses in small development instead of actual wins.

it almost feels like its the second year of the rebuild to these guys. not year 4.

I don't disagree one iota about making a huge change and stopping this losing culture. just trying to decipher the riddle that is our management

I notice the leafs have very competitive players. They play hard and are a tough team to play against.

I think that is the major issue in Edm is not the goaltending.... They are too soft and don't have a high compete level. I'd be willing to part ways with Eberle and Yak in order to fix this problem.

The Defence needs to be tougher to play against and the forwards need to be more willing to the physical play on the fore check.

They need more guys like Gordon (obviously with more skill but the same attitude)
- Killbot460

funny watching the latest episode of oil change last night...everything mact and eakins says about work ethic, high compete level, top fitness condition... all talk.