HockeyBuzz Hotstove: Should the Edmonton Oilers be worried about Milan Lucic?

Concerned yes. Proof that this is all we should expect from him for the rest of his career? No.

If I was an oiler fan I would have started worrying exactly 1 second after he signed that deal. I thought he was a terrible fit from day 1, not the kind of player that could fit in with the very fast young guys Edmonton had. I think it was also made worse when people said that getting him is what made hall expendable......basically saying he was there to replace hall.......which is something he is in no way capable of doing, and it set horribly unrealistic expectations for him.

Chiarelli...

Naw, I'm good.

I thought Edm would regret this deal, big time, in a couple of years. Who knew it would be in year one.

The Oilers have been my 2nd favorite team for a long time.

I was disappointed with the signing from the first day. He is not the character that I wanted to influence guys like Draisaitl, McDavid, and Puljujarvi. His contract is also not good. Just not a fan of any of it.

I traded him for Hall in NHL 17 (Franchise Mode).

James Tanner

Of course they should be worried. The Oilers improvement is due 100% to McDavid.

If they had Hall instead of Lucic and Larsson, imagine how good their team would be. The Lucic signing was horrible the day it was done and looks even worse now.

But people will still read this and complain about what I'm saying and not their incompetent GM.

ya, I guess Talbot has nothing to do with it, Draisaitl kickin ass?..I don't think this team is where they are with Hall over Lucic/Larsson, Hall is a great offensive threat but the whole team's dynamic is different..these guys are sticking up for each other, Ference commented recently about how this team is drastically different that the 2013/2015 team...I'd still do the Larsson for Hall trade today, he's been a great addiction on the back end.

They could have traded for Scott Hartnell instead and probably would be further ahead today.

It's bad, and might only be getting worse.

I don't think this team would be where it is with Hall instead of Larsson. Hated the trade, but we desperately needed a mean RHD who could stop the cycle and skate and pass.

I don't think this team would be where it is with Hall instead of Larsson. Hated the trade, but we desperately needed a mean RHD who could stop the cycle and skate and pass.
- BigDre

I still maintain a better GM could have either gotten Larsson for WAAAY less...or gotten WAAAY more for hall

Forget the Hall for Larsson deal. EDM didnt have to target Looch. But they did and it shows they can either draw the top free agents. Or it was simply the money. Or just both. I do think that EDM could have went many other routes for a power forward. But they showed they could bring in the top free agent at the time.

I think even without Looch and trading Hall for Larsson ( A trade I still feel EDM could have gotten more or done better with ) was something that had to happen to help change the mentality of the team and also let the players know that nobody is safe. Adding more defensive depth only helps gain a team confidence and esp for a goalie.

I still maintain a better GM could have either gotten Larsson for WAAAY less...or gotten WAAAY more for hall
- sensarmy_11

While we all think that. Maybe Larsson was the best player available. Perhaps all other teams were just low balling EDM hard, because for one they know EDM desperately needs Dmen. Once a team needs something really bad usually they overpay.

James Tanner

Of course they should be worried. The Oilers improvement is due 100% to McDavid.

If they had Hall instead of Lucic and Larsson, imagine how good their team would be. The Lucic signing was horrible the day it was done and looks even worse now.

But people will still read this and complain about what I'm saying and not their incompetent GM.

ya, I guess Talbot has nothing to do with it, Draisaitl kickin ass?..I don't think this team is where they are with Hall over Lucic/Larsson, Hall is a great offensive threat but the whole team's dynamic is different..these guys are sticking up for each other, Ference commented recently about how this team is drastically different that the 2013/2015 team...I'd still do the Larsson for Hall trade today, he's been a great addiction on the back end.
- yakattack

Don't listen to Tanner... he's a total hack

While we all think that. Maybe Larsson was the best player available. Perhaps all other teams were just low balling EDM hard, because for one they know EDM desperately needs Dmen. Once a team needs something really bad usually they overpay.
- poisondhearts37

I find this incredibly hard to believe.

Maybe it's that Peter Chiarelli has done a very poor job of evaluating talent the last few years.

Sure seems to be a pattern of poor deals for him lately...

Lucia for 6 more years at that cap hit is crazy Good luck with that ..

Lucic for 6 more years at that cap hit is crazy Good luck with that ..
- mwh144[/uote]

I find this incredibly hard to believe.

Maybe it's that Peter Chiarelli has done a very poor job of evaluating talent the last few years.

Sure seems to be a pattern of poor deals for him lately...
- BINGO!

What other better Dmen you think was out there? Besides Hamonic.

What other better Dmen you think was out there? Besides Hamonic.
- poisondhearts37

well seth jones (who's far better than Larsson) was acquired for a forward who isn't as good as hall............there were deals out there had chiarelli not waited. Edmonton needed D, no doubt, but they didn't need it that second. they've improved but they aren't a cup contender right now......there's lots of guys who are available right now who are better than Larsson.

I maintain it was a bad trade by a bad gm who's basically done nothing but make bad trades the last 4-5 years.

well seth jones (who's far better than Larsson) was acquired for a forward who isn't as good as hall............there were deals out there had chiarelli not waited. Edmonton needed D, no doubt, but they didn't need it that second. they've improved but they aren't a cup contender right now......there's lots of guys who are available right now who are better than Larsson.

I maintain it was a bad trade by a bad gm who's basically done nothing but make bad trades the last 4-5 years.
- sensarmy_11

Do you think EDM was willing to move Nuge at that time? Because Nashville was desperately seeking a Center.

What other better Dmen you think was out there? Besides Hamonic.
- poisondhearts37

also, subban, weber, maybe shattenkirk (assuming he was probably available), lindholm, vatanen, fowler, trouba, etc, etc

Do you think EDM was willing to move Nuge at that time? Because Nashville was desperately seeking a Center.
- poisondhearts37

they had mcdavid and draisaitl.......no reason not to pull the trigger on that one. they'd be a better team right now with hall and jones then they would with rnh and larsson

What other better Dmen you think was out there? Besides Hamonic.
- poisondhearts37

Alex Goligoski was traded to Phoenix for a 5th round pick... Probably would have been a good thing to attempt.

The Panthers got Yandle's rights for a 6th and a conditional 4th (and then paid him too much money, yes)

Panthers and Sabres swapped Kulikov and Pysyk...

Scott Harrington traded to the Blue Jackets for Kerby Rychel.

Not saying they're all better than Larsson, but they likely would have been better value and wouldn't have cost you one of the top wingers in the game.

they had mcdavid and draisaitl.......no reason not to pull the trigger on that one. they'd be a better team right now with hall and jones then they would with rnh and larsson
- sensarmy_11

They tried. It was reported that Nuge was offered but Nashville liked Ryan JoH better.

They tried. It was reported that Nuge was offered but Nashville liked Ryan JoH better.
- Wildschwein

should have added something then......my point was there were other deals to be made I'm sure. the hall for Larsson deal reeked of desperation..........same as the seguin deal and the Hamilton deal. chiarelli strikes me as a GM who has zero patience