Ryan Garner: Fire MacTavish for Losing Oilers’ Tkachev the Day

You should be fired

Positive moves by MacT:

- Acquired Perron for Paajarvi and a 2nd (Barbashev)
- Acquired both Fasth and Scrivens for a combination of middling picks (a 3rd and 4th rounder, if I recall)
- Moved Gagner for Purcell
- Moved a struggling Smid for an upgrade in a goalie prospect
- Signed college free agents like Miller and Oesterle and European FA Pakarinen (no matter how insignificant they may end up being, still positive)
- Signing Bryzgalov


TBD moves by MacT:

- Fayne signing (I lean towards positive, but we'll wait and see)
- Pouliot signing (see above)


Bad moves (or lack of moves) by MacT:

- Overpaid Nikitin (not by as much as you seem to believe, though) and Ference
- Didn't succeed in signing a stop-gap C
- This "massive debacle"


Am I missing anything? I feel like you're trying too hard to be negative here.

"granite-handed muckers". wow

Positive moves by MacT:

- Acquired Perron for Paajarvi and a 2nd (Barbashev)
- Acquired both Fasth and Scrivens for a combination of middling picks (a 3rd and 4th rounder, if I recall)
- Moved Gagner for Purcell
- Moved a struggling Smid and Roy for Brossoit and Horak
- Signed college free agents like Miller and Oesterle and European FA Pakarinen (no matter how insignificant they may end up being, still positive)
- Signing Bryzgalov


TBD moves by MacT:

- Fayne signing (I lean towards positive, but we'll wait and see)
- Pouliot signing (see above)


Bad moves (or lack of moves) by MacT:

- Overpaid Nikitin (not by as much as you seem to believe, though) and Ference
- Didn't succeed in signing a stop-gap C
- This "massive debacle"


Am I missing anything?
- MaximumBone

I'd mention the way he mis-handled Hemsky last summer then ended up with egg on his face after he couldn't trade him before the season. But his biggest mis-step was hiring an inexperienced trapping-style coach for our young Team. That set us back at least a year IMO.
I said this last year; Lowe hiring a rookie GM who then hires a rookie coach is a recipe for disaster. We could not afford the time it would take while a pair of rookies who guide the Team learn their trade.

Clarkson scored 30 goals in the 2011/12 season. He then followed that with 15 goals in a 48 game season for 2012/13. There's a reason that he was one of the most sought-after free agents last year. We probably dodged a bullet, but so did 28 other teams.

You think that the reason that we didn't draft Tkachev was a lack of draft picks? 210 players not named Tkachev were drafted back in June. 30 teams absolutely agreed that he wasn't even worthy of using a seventh round pick.

It's not like we just lost Gretzky (again). We just lost an extremely undersized player who MIGHT some day make it to the NHL. He looks promising, but so did Omark and about a hundred other players who have been at a pre-season camp.

Fire MacT over this? Give your head a shake, stop when the rattling noise gets annoying.

Positive moves by MacT:

- Acquired Perron for Paajarvi and a 2nd (Barbashev)

TBD moves by MacT:

- Fayne signing (I lean towards positive, but we'll wait and see)
- Pouliot signing (see above)
- Acquired both Fasth and Scrivens for a combination of middling picks (a 3rd and 4th rounder, if I recall)
- Moved Gagner for Purcell
- Signed college free agents like Miller and Oesterle and European FA Pakarinen (no matter how insignificant they may end up being, still positive)

Bad moves (or lack of moves) by MacT:

- Overpaid Nikitin (not by as much as you seem to believe, though) and Ference
- Didn't succeed in signing a stop-gap C
- This "massive debacle"
- Moved a struggling Smid for an upgrade in a goalie prospect
- Signing Bryzgalov

Am I missing anything? I feel like you're trying too hard to be negative here.
- MaximumBone

Fixed.

his vision for this franchise is spot on. add to that the next to impossible task of attracting free agents to one of the least desirable places to play in the nhl. that's also been an absolute bottom feeder for 5 years.
he's added size, depth, improved our tending and hasn't lost any real valuable assets doing it. this franchise wont be better served with anyone else.


I'm surprised you would say this cause it's just so wrong on so many levels.
mact is unequivocally the right guy for this difficult task.
his assistants not reading some fine print in the cba on an undrafted kid is so incredibly minor, it's hardly worth mentioning outside of; "oh really, he's ineligible to sign? lame. hopefully he's around in the 4 or 5th next year"

Clarkson scored 30 goals in the 2011/12 season. He then followed that with 15 goals in a 48 game season for 2012/13. There's a reason that he was one of the most sought-after free agents last year. We probably dodged a bullet, but so did 28 other teams.

You think that the reason that we didn't draft Tkachev was a lack of draft picks? 210 players not named Tkachev were drafted back in June. 30 teams absolutely agreed that he wasn't even worthy of using a seventh round pick.

It's not like we just lost Gretzky (again). We just lost an extremely undersized player who MIGHT some day make it to the NHL. He looks promising, but so did Omark and about a hundred other players who have been at a pre-season camp.

Fire MacT over this? Give your head a shake, stop when the rattling noise gets annoying.
- sportsjunkie007

Bingo, this how he should of wrote the blog, instead of being so pessimistic. Im really getting tired of the Edmonton media jumping on the bandwagon of hate, as soon as something goes wrong. The season hasn't even started, chill out and enjoy the ride, and lets see what happens by November at least.

his vision for this franchise is spot on. add to that the next to impossible task of attracting free agents to one of the least desirable places to play in the nhl. that's also been an absolute bottom feeder for 5 years.


I'm surprised you would say this cause it's just so wrong on so many levels.
mact is unequivocally the right guy for this difficult task.
his assistants not reading some fine print in the cba on an undrafted kid is so incredibly minor, it's hardly worth mentioning outside of "oh really? lame. hopefully he's around in the 4 or 5th next year"
- hugefemale dog77

Again, perfect! Here I am ranting, because all I seem to read on my twitter feed, is how the Oilers need to fire everyone,because of this. I come on here, and the Hockeybuzz readers seem to have a higher IQ then the media covering the team.

I have to say you have a pretty weak premise here. People need to take a step back and realize that while Tkachev had a great camp he has not even played an NHL game. While we are on the topic of NHL games can I remind you that Fayne, Pouliot, Nikitin or Purcell have not played an NHL game in an Oiler's jersey. MacTavish has been GM for one full season of actual hockey play. It is pretty hard to judge a General Manager on one season especially given the mess that he was left with.
I mean we haven't even seen our new goalie tandem for a full season and that was a major reason for our lacklustre early season last year. Was the Tkachev experience an embarrassment? Most definitely. Is it reason to jump ship? Absolutely not. Let the boys play and we will re-evaluate after Game one of the season like all good Oiler fans wait to do.

Not drafting a player that wasn't drafted means he should be fired??? Wow.

Fixed.
- Ryan Garner

So you're telling me that signing Bryzgalov (the only solid available goalie FA at the time) to take up reigns after Dubnyk's sh!tfest and moving Smid's horrible contract weren't good moves? Hell, I'd argue they were great moves.

How is acquiring two legitimate NHL goalies (whether starters or not) for two picks that, historically, are very unlikely to turn into anything close to an NHL player not a great move?

How are free players that don't hurt the team not a 'plus' when this Tkachev thing is such a huge minus? Say what you want about the undrafted free agents, but they were free support players to help develop our young guys.

What don't you like enough about moving Gagner (small, defensively-retarded, and ineffective C on a 3 year deal) for Purcell (bigger, more polished winger with a similar talent level on a 2 year deal) to consider it a plus?

Again, perfect! Here I am ranting, because all I seem to read on my twitter feed, is how the Oilers need to fire everyone,because of this. I come on here, and the Hockeybuzz readers seem to have a higher IQ then the media covering the team.
- FiretheGM

I've got a list of about 5 pundits who's opinion I value. the rest are brainless sheep/

I aint calling u out with that comment ryan, or making reference to you. I actually like a lot of your blogs. just don't agree with you at all in this instance

That's a Bold Blog rite there...



Bryz was not a mistake though, I said the guy should and would be hired for the job out the gate. Without Poopnyk dragging you down Like Reactor4 and F'Ing the season in the first 15-20 games the Zee Oil may have had the different outlook on the season and Eakins may have had a chance.

Again, perfect! Here I am ranting, because all I seem to read on my twitter feed, is how the Oilers need to fire everyone,because of this. I come on here, and the Hockeybuzz readers seem to have a higher IQ then the media covering the team.
- FiretheGM

Best stay away from any TSN articles documenting this occurrence. Their comment sections will be overflowing with idiocy.

So you're telling me that signing Bryzgalov (the only solid available goalie FA at the time) to take up reigns after Dubnyk's sh!tfest and moving Smid's horrible contract weren't good moves? Hell, I'd argue they were great moves.

How is acquiring two legitimate NHL goalies (whether starters or not) for two picks that, historically, are very unlikely to turn into anything close to an NHL player not a great move?

How are free players that don't hurt the team not a 'plus' when this Tkachev thing is such a huge minus? Say what you want about the undrafted free agents, but they were free support players to help develop our young guys.

What don't you like enough about moving Gagner (small, defensively-retarded, and ineffective C on a 3 year deal) for Purcell (bigger, more polished winger with a similar talent level on a 2 year deal) to consider it a plus?
- MaximumBone

When Dubnyk crapped the bed it put the team in a tough position, but dealing Smid to clear up space to sign Bryzgalov was a boneheaded move. First of all, trading a guy six months after you sign him to a long-term contract extension is a bad look for the team and keeps potential free agents from signing with you, especially when Smid decided to badmouth the organization as soon as he arrived in Calgary.

Second, was the Smid contract worse than Nikitin's, and would you rather have had Belov or Larsen filling those minutes than Smid? MacT should have gone out and dealt for a legitimate No. 1 goaltender, rather than trying to plug the position with career backups or an over-the-hill Bryzgalov. In the end, what good did it do?

I hope either Scrivens or Fasth proves to be starting-caliber, but until they prove it I'm not going to congratulate MacT for anything. What good is two backups? That's like having a defence full of third-pairing guys. It doesn't make any sense, regardless of how cheaply you were able to acquire them.

I'm waiting to see what Purcell offers before I declare that trade a victory. Remember, teams don't trade good players for crap, and I don't hear anyone in Tampa crying over the fact that Purcell isn't there, just as we don't miss Gagner in Edmonton. I'm not saying it's a bad move, just waiting to see on that one.

Not drafting a player that wasn't drafted means he should be fired??? Wow.
- Thehabsfan93

We have high standards

When Dubnyk crapped the bed it put the team in a tough position, but dealing Smid to clear up space to sign Bryzgalov was a boneheaded move. First of all, trading a guy six months after you sign him to a long-term contract extension is a bad look for the team and keeps potential free agents from signing with you, especially when Smid decided to badmouth the organization as soon as he arrived in Calgary.

Second, was the Smid contract worse than Nikitin's, and would you rather have had Belov or Larsen filling those minutes than Smid? MacT should have gone out and dealt for a legitimate No. 1 goaltender, rather than trying to plug the position with career backups or an over-the-hill Bryzgalov. In the end, what good did it do?

I hope either Scrivens or Fasth proves to be starting-caliber, but until they prove it I'm not going to congratulate MacT for anything. What good is two backups? That's like having a defence full of third-pairing guys. It doesn't make any sense, regardless of how cheaply you were able to acquire them.

I'm waiting to see what Purcell offers before I declare that trade a victory. Remember, teams don't trade good players for crap, and I don't hear anyone in Tampa crying over the fact that Purcell isn't there, just as we don't miss Gagner in Edmonton. I'm not saying it's a bad move, just waiting to see on that one.
- Ryan Garner

First of all MacT did not sign Smid, Tamb did. MacT gave hints to what he didnt like about this team at the start of that season. Hints being Smid and Dubnyk, a few months later they are gone. You know what? Their is no point in arguing with you. You dont get it, and I can clearly see that, by what, and how you write about this team. Hopefully you go back to writing about the Sharks soon, and we get someone new.

When Dubnyk crapped the bed it put the team in a tough position, but dealing Smid to clear up space to sign Bryzgalov was a boneheaded move. First of all, trading a guy six months after you sign him to a long-term contract extension is a bad look for the team and keeps potential free agents from signing with you, especially when Smid decided to badmouth the organization as soon as he arrived in Calgary.

Second, was the Smid contract worse than Nikitin's, and would you rather have had Belov or Larsen filling those minutes than Smid? MacT should have gone out and dealt for a legitimate No. 1 goaltender, rather than trying to plug the position with career backups or an over-the-hill Bryzgalov. In the end, what good did it do?

I hope either Scrivens or Fasth proves to be starting-caliber, but until they prove it I'm not going to congratulate MacT for anything. What good is two backups? That's like having a defence full of third-pairing guys. It doesn't make any sense, regardless of how cheaply you were able to acquire them.

I'm waiting to see what Purcell offers before I declare that trade a victory. Remember, teams don't trade good players for crap, and I don't hear anyone in Tampa crying over the fact that Purcell isn't there, just as we don't miss Gagner in Edmonton. I'm not saying it's a bad move, just waiting to see on that one.
- Ryan Garner

Well said... concise, articulate and a unbiased view of his moves. I would agree on pretty much every point.

Maximumbone is a moron, and question if he even watches hockey. I think he used to blog here awhile ago

First of all MacT did not sign Smid, Tamb did. MacT gave hints to what he didnt like about this team at the start of that season. Hints being Smid and Dubnyk, a few months later they are gone. You know what? Their is no point in arguing with you. You dont get it, and I can clearly see that, by what, and how you write about this team. Hopefully you go back to writing about the Sharks soon, and we get someone new.
- FiretheGM

I know Tambo signed Smid to the extension, but it's an organizational thing. You don't turn around a few months later and trade the guy. Plus, he's still playing in the NHL, unlike Belov, Larsen and Grebeshkov. You're saying Smid was worse than those guys and had to be moved? Agree to disagree.

I know Tambo signed Smid to the extension, but it's an organizational thing. You don't turn around a few months later and trade the guy. Plus, he's still playing in the NHL, unlike Belov, Larsen and Grebeshkov. You're saying Smid was worse than those guys and had to be moved? Agree to disagree.
- Ryan Garner

In my opinion, when you look at the stats, and watch them play, Belov, and Larsen are as effective as Smid, if you go by what they did last year, but cost way less. Smid is a bottom paring Dmen who can play a soild 18 mins a night for you, but lacks puck movement, and skating. Belov is the same thing, but can move the puck a little better, but is not intense when he needs to be, so he loses battles. Larsen is a puck mover in all areas of the game, but is small, and cant battle down low at all, so he gets punished. I believe MacT did a great move in getting rid of Smid, because of past he had with the Oilers losing, and also giving the team cap space to use on a future asset. So I disagree with you.

I know Tambo signed Smid to the extension, but it's an organizational thing. You don't turn around a few months later and trade the guy. Plus, he's still playing in the NHL, unlike Belov, Larsen and Grebeshkov. You're saying Smid was worse than those guys and had to be moved? Agree to disagree.
- Ryan Garner

Also Grebshkov was, and is past his prime, but he was bought in to see if he could reclaim his past, and he failed.

Well said... concise, articulate and a unbiased view of his moves. I would agree on pretty much every point.

Maximumbone is a moron, and question if he even watches hockey. I think he used to blog here awhile ago

- kneughter

First, allow me to clear something up; I am not, nor have I ever been, that slutmuffin Cloutier. I made my name as a tongue-in-cheek shot at his username of 'Maxbone' back when he was still relevant.

Secondly, what about my post incited such a comment against my intelligence? Did I state anything so overwhelmingly homeristic that you just couldn't restrain yourself? Since you seem to fancy yourself such an intellectual, please grace me with your in-depth opinions on MacTs moves to date.

Arrogant pr!ck.

When Dubnyk crapped the bed it put the team in a tough position, but dealing Smid to clear up space to sign Bryzgalov was a boneheaded move. First of all, trading a guy six months after you sign him to a long-term contract extension is a bad look for the team and keeps potential free agents from signing with you, especially when Smid decided to badmouth the organization as soon as he arrived in Calgary.

Second, was the Smid contract worse than Nikitin's, and would you rather have had Belov or Larsen filling those minutes than Smid? MacT should have gone out and dealt for a legitimate No. 1 goaltender, rather than trying to plug the position with career backups or an over-the-hill Bryzgalov. In the end, what good did it do?

I hope either Scrivens or Fasth proves to be starting-caliber, but until they prove it I'm not going to congratulate MacT for anything. What good is two backups? That's like having a defence full of third-pairing guys. It doesn't make any sense, regardless of how cheaply you were able to acquire them.

I'm waiting to see what Purcell offers before I declare that trade a victory. Remember, teams don't trade good players for crap, and I don't hear anyone in Tampa crying over the fact that Purcell isn't there, just as we don't miss Gagner in Edmonton. I'm not saying it's a bad move, just waiting to see on that one.
- Ryan Garner

I don't know who exactly this starting goalie that they should've traded for would've been? And what would they have had to give up to get him? Probably a fair deal if one was even available (doubtful).

In the end, Bryz was an inexpensive stop gap that provided NHL-level goaltending (which we weren't getting prior to his signing) for the meager price of trading away a wildly underperforming 4-5 shutdown Dman on a 4 year $3.5 million contract for the next 4 years whose skillset was duplicated by the recent signing (and subsequent captaining) of Ference. That along with the fact that they got a legitimate goalie prospect out of the deal as well leads me to call that a win at the very least.

In regards to the comparison of Nikitin and Smid's contract, I'd argue Nikitin's in better. Both are big, physical, and defensively capable Dmen who are best suited to 4-5 duty. However, Nikitin actually possesses an element of effective puck-moving to go along with his defensive abilities that Smid never developed. I think the biggest thing that makes Nikitin's contract better is the term. His contract will be up before Smid's and before the Oil should have any major cap issues (assuming the cap increases).

I don't know how you can contest my point on the goalies. What good are two back-ups? They've (so far) given us NHL-level goaltending and they cost us two prospects that would've likely never become anything of significance.

Regardless of whether Purcell excels or not, his contract is one season shorter than Gagner's. He's been producing at a rate above what Gagner has recently so I'd argue he's a safe bet to at least match him offensively and I imagine his size will come in handy against the bigger teams in the West. I'm not proclaiming it an overwhelming success or anything, but all we stand to do is gain in some way or another.