Richard Cloutier: Who Stays? Who Goes?

Darcy Hordichuk - We went through a similar thing before with Steve MacIntyre: In the modern NHL, a fighter needs to know how to play hockey. Hordichuk simply is not a good enough hockey player, and therefore, there's no spot for him in Edmonton next season. He's a UFA, so he'll find work somewhere else of his choosing this summer.
- Maxbone

Yeah, I'm sure he'll find something in Fort McMurray.

Taylor Hall - I will end this with a wacky, half-baked suggestion I heard making the rounds: That the Oilers should trade Hall.

I am mostly impressed with Taylor. He plays harder than anyone else I've ever seen. Yes, he's got a bit of a mouth; and yes, he's had injury issues...No player is perfect and Hall has some flaws. But raw emotion...who else on this team demonstrates and possesses the emotion Taylor Hall does? Trade him? That's crazy talk. Wanna know why the Oilers finished 29th? Because they need more Halls, not less Halls.
- Maxbone

He puts Octomom to shame.

TO does not need or want Gagner Clouts. He's a 2C and we have better in Grabovski. He's not a 1C and not a 3C, so we have no use for him.

TO does not need or want Gagner Clouts. He's a 2C and we have better in Grabovski. He's not a 1C and not a 3C, so we have no use for him.
- Boosinicka

But Toronto sucks.

But Toronto sucks.
- Maxbone

business as usual.....

Gagner is tiny. He won't be going to toronto...it's getting silly how many times you've suggested it now rich

TO does not need or want Gagner Clouts. He's a 2C and we have an equal in Grabovski. He's not a 1C and not a 3C, and a lateral movement doesn't make sense, so we have no use for him.
- Boosinicka

fixed for accuracy.

This all being said, I think Hemsky is more vulnerable to trade than Gagner. But chances are both stay put and the Oilers draft Ryan Murray instead.


- Maxbone

This made the most sense out of your whole blog.

I hope there is no amnesty clause in the new CBA. Teams need to suck up the bad contracts they signed.

Everyone can get on Belanger but he was the best f/o guy on the team @ 55%. Having a guy like that on the 4th line is a blessing. Coaching just needs to put him out there in the right spots. Protecting a lead, PK, important Dzone f/o's.

I don't see Eager getting traded. He did start with a concussion and had back issues on and off. Plus add that he saw most of his minutes on the 4th line, while he ended with 8g, 15p is not too bad. Get him more minutes on the 3rd with Horc and Jones.

Smytty....4th line, extra forward. He can play. Still has it, just not at 15+ minutes every night. Get him out for the PP and PK. upgrade his line through injuries for a few games, but a constant 2nd/3rd line job is too much for a whole season for his battery.

Omark is gone, don't care where.

Barker, if there is no market to make a trade then I see him just gone, or signed to an even lesser contract to play as 7/8 Dman, or sent to OKC to bring up youth that is ready like Teubert, maybe Fedun...kinda depends on what happens over the summer with the Schultz kid and the draft.

Pecks...odd man out. Too many 5-8 Dmen to get a job. Whitney/Smid/oldSchultz/Petry are the top 4 for this team. Sutton/Potter/Fedun/Teubert/DraftPickMurray/youngSchultz? are leading to be the next 4....Gernat/Marcinin/chorney/Plante to also be in the fight for the position.

Hordi...13-14 forward. The guy is chaos on the ice...you like chaos dontcha Clouts? He got a bum rap in the Van game, he laid a big hit on a Van player then they started targetting him and HE draws the big penalty.

I see changes but not much to the forwards, just tweaks...the D is where the team will concentrate on making moves.

But Toronto sucks.
- Maxbone

(clapping hands)

I just don't see Hemsky getting you a 1st. Never played a full season, 2-3 'decent' seasons of production, paid too much, INJURIES.

I just don't think anyone outside of Edmonton places any value on him. At least not enough to offer up a higher pick than a 2nd rounder.

the Oilers could easily take a player at the draft who will immediately make the NHL on D (Ryan Murray).

thank you - Geoff Molson

I am still thinking that Konopka will sign with the Oilers, big body, throw the hits, win faceoffs, can kill penaties when he's not in the box, plus he can really fight.

Omark to Ottawa for Nashvilles third and Negotiating rights to Konopka

You guys get a third plus get to sign Konopka who doesn't really change anything about the deal. And we get another young swede to develop

If you don't sign Konopka then the deal is still Omark for a third so it works either way

Richard Cloutier: Who Stays? Who Goes?
- Maxbone

Clouts you should really read this article before you continue on your "we need to get bigger" rant.

http://oilersnation.com/2...8/in-search-of-keyser-sze

TO does not need or want Gagner Clouts. He's a 2C and we have better in Grabovski. He's not a 1C and not a 3C, so we have no use for him.
- Boosinicka

Why don't the Leafs try the $5m man as their #1 center. He is better than both Connolly and Ballsack.

Clouts you should really read this article before you continue on your "we need to get bigger" rant.

http://oilersnation.com/2...8/in-search-of-keyser-sze
- Reveen

The thing is when fans or pundits mention size they aren't necessarily talking about a 'coke machine'. In my opinion, they are just drafting a lot of smaller'ish' guys. Don't need huge hits, and striking fear in the hearts of men. Just a general ability to take a hit and not get destroyed.

The thing is when fans or pundits mention size they aren't necessarily talking about a 'coke machine'. In my opinion, they are just drafting a lot of smaller'ish' guys. Don't need huge hits, and striking fear in the hearts of men. Just a general ability to take a hit and not get destroyed.
- mckeevs2012

Got ya.... need a bunch of catchers (take it but don't give it)

Gagner doesn't have enough truculence. They need more Brian Burke type players like....Colby Armstrong??

Why the hell do you keep saying that TO should pick up Gagner?
they have Grabo, Bozak, Connelly, Lombardi, Colbourne (soon) that could all play 2nd line center and the leafs are too small up front..

I dont know whats more retarded...Gagner to the leafs for a d-man or youre earlier suggestion of Subban + Mtl 1st for Edm 1st... nevermind

So Smyth resigns according to most?? I would rather not personally because it time to move forward with different vets and leaders.... but that might be just me... Aside from what everyone is saying we will not be trading hemsky or gagner as unless tambo gets some brass balls and makes a blockbuster which we all know will not happen...

Got ya.... need a bunch of catchers (take it but don't give it)
- Reveen

We had that on this team for years... We need a Dave Manson type to help smid out... You know ones that smash other teams faces in from snowing their goalie or roughing up a teammate... As much as Gilbert improved I was happy to see that wussy go buh bye... He never stood up for teammates ever... It was sickening...

"@TSNBobMcKenzie: Final NHL CSB rankings: 1. Yakupov 2. Murray 3. Grigorenko 4. Galchenyuk 5. Rielly 6. Ceci 7. Faksa 8. Maatta 9. Trouba 10. Reinhart 11. Dumba

"@TSNBobMcKenzie: NHL CSB (Euro skaters): 1. Forsberg 2. Teravainen 3. Collberg 4. Lindholm 5. Hertl. Top N.A. goalie: Subban. Top Euro goalie: Vasilevski."

"@TSNBobMcKenzie: Final NHL CSB rankings: 1. Yakupov 2. Murray 3. Grigorenko 4. Galchenyuk 5. Rielly 6. Ceci 7. Faksa 8. Maatta 9. Trouba 10. Reinhart 11. Dumba
- OilHorse

I really see us taking Murray unless we flip for TO or MTL pick as those two are competing for the big center... We could end up with Schenn and Reinhardt people!!!

Either Belanger or Horcoff goes, EDM can trade Belanger and buy out Horcoff contract with new CBA. Both will go, but I suggest to keep at least one, unless Lander can step up and be 3rd line centre and promote another to 4th line.

I think keeping Eager may be good, but Hordichuk can be tossed.

Omark, Peckham, and Barker will all be traded for mid-late draft picks or let go.

Bulin, only a rebuilding, young, desperate team trying to reach cap floor will deal for Bulin. I suggest trade him too for mid-late draft pick, EDM try to sign a UFA and let the goalie prospects to grow.

Smyth is a tough one, I prefer to let Smyth go. He will simply take up another roster spot that is better to offer to a prospect. EDM brought him back, great, but either him or Horcoff should go.

Hemsky and Gagner will be unknowns, all depends at the draft. I suggest draft another forward and trade one of them and package it with other prospects to get a defenseman.

Petrell should be resigned and Hall is not going anywhere.

If I were TO I would trade Schenn... Call it a just did not work out...it would be best... And who really knows how long it will take for Schenn to come around... He is overrated and solely rated on (frank)ing potential anyway...hemmer may not be worth a first but neither is Schenn...