I'm not sure with all the other deficiencies on our team that goaltending is the right upgrade at this juncture. Especially since Khabby is on the verge of retiring, and Dubey has just been paid like they intend to make him the #1.

Goalies are hard to build around. I'd rather acquire one as a last piece of the puzzle.

I could be mistaken, but I thought the draft order was in relation to standings in the last season. I didn't think previous "1st overalls" had an effect on the amount of balls a team received.

Hope you're right though, couldn't handle seeing Edm add McKinnon to that mix.
- Farva

Normally, yes. Last time a season was wiped out due to lockout, this is how they determined draft order... You know, the Crosby lottery?

They may very well still suck. It won't be long before they are absolutley dominant, but they may still be in that develpoment phase. Don't expect them to go from the poorhouse to the penthouse... their glory will come in stages.
- Farva

I would be disappointed if we were a basement team again. I'd expect somewhere between 8 and 11th in the conference. Growing pains, with flashes of really solid play.

Burke is the one you need to convince, not me! I've got his cell number if you want it?
- LeftCoaster

No need. I'm sitting next to him...

I would be disappointed if we were a basement team again. I'd expect somewhere between 8 and 11th in the conference. Growing pains, with flashes of really solid play.
- Morris

Very unlikely a basement team, that would be extremely disappointing. But 8-11 is a pretty safe bet. I'd guess next year will be the last time the Oil miss the playoffs in a looong time. I'll take a guess and say cup champs in 5 years.

Very unlikely a basement team, that would be extremely disappointing. But 8-11 is a pretty safe bet. I'd guess next year will be the last time the Oil miss the playoffs in a looong time. I'll take a guess and say cup champs in 5 years.
- Farva

I'd be ecstatic if that happened but we've still got a lot of a maturing/building to do.

Also, if we come back this season the kids might flounder under the pressure of a lockout-shortened season so this is a tough one to predict.

No need. I'm sitting next to him...
- As_I_See_It

Tell him Lefty says hi.

I'd be ecstatic if that happened but we've still got a lot of a maturing/building to do.

Also, if we come back this season the kids might flounder under the pressure of a lockout-shortened season so this is a tough one to predict.
- Morris

Very possible. There is an enormous amount of talent there, but very young talent. My biggest concern for Oilers fans isn't how quickly they mature, but how they are going to manage all of the huge contracts they will need to hand out once the ELCs expire.

One of the kids is going to have to go at some point.

LUONGO MUST GO EAST MY FRIENDS....EAST!!!

I could be mistaken, but I thought the draft order was in relation to standings in the last season. I didn't think previous "1st overalls" had an effect on the amount of balls a team received.

Hope you're right though, couldn't handle seeing Edm add McKinnon to that mix.
- Farva

i am right. check how they did the draft after the lockout in 04-05

I'd be ecstatic if that happened but we've still got a lot of a maturing/building to do.

Also, if we come back this season the kids might flounder under the pressure of a lockout-shortened season so this is a tough one to predict.
- Morris

Oilers need way more depth down the middle and much better goaltending, then look out!

I voted "please keep is somewhat real", even though I have no idea what this means.

I would be disappointed if we were a basement team again. I'd expect somewhere between 8 and 11th in the conference. Growing pains, with flashes of really solid play.
- Morris

this

love to make the dance, but playing meaningful games right till the end and even bein in the hunt is a massive step forward.

Hey Ian what are your thoughts on Lou to Toronto being a much bigger deal then was originally thought ? I heard through the grapevine it might be REALLY big !! Lou, Edler, Raymond for Colbourne, Phaneuf, Frattin and Ashton plus a pick. Any thoughts on that ? Edler is in final year if contract
- Greg7705

Terrible deal for Toronto...
Edler might be a step up from Phaneuf, but Edler has only 1yr left on his deal, and Phaneuf is the Leafs captain...
Raymond is very quick, but is a marginal top6 guy...
Leafs give up 3 good prospects, their captain and a pick, to marginally upgrade a defenceman, get a top9 winger, and an aging goalie...

As for the Bozak & Reimer for Lu rumour...I say that is a good deal for both teams...Reimer would be a solid backup for Schneider and Bozak would slide into the 3rd line centre slot...Lu gives Leafs a legit shot playoffs

I was playing in CapGeek and i decline on giving my offer to you. Edm is set up to have a pile of guys looking for contracts after this and next season. They have decided on having the maximum amount of wiggle room to build the team.

If MPS is the cornerstone you have to take both Khabby AND Horc as salary balance. Nik's contract runs out this season (if there is one), Horc's is on for 2 more after this year. Lu's contract is too long (even if we get the wish and he retires early) while most of the guys you are looking at are cheap and young.

There is no way Edm should have to get pinched by carrying 3 goalies, and Van needs to take salary back.

So MPS, Khabby, Peckham and Horc for Lu and Ballard.
- OilHorse

I scoff at this.

Just wondering how oilers fans feel about a MSP and Gagner deal?
- IanEsplen

Sorry Man, a huge over pay. Yes Lu is a good goalie but that contract that comes with him is way to steep. Your asking for basically what could be 2/3's of our second line. Not worth it.

Oilers need way more depth down the middle and much better goaltending, then look out!
- LeftCoaster

Yep. Have to admit, I'm stoked to see how good they can be.

Sorry Man, a huge over pay. Yes Lu is a good goalie but that contract that comes with him is way to steep. Your asking for basically what could be 2/3's of our second line. Not worth it.
- daoil91

I wouldn't say HUGE overpayment. Frankly, having Luongo makes you a better team than keeping Gagner and Paarvii. If I was Edm I would do that deal for sure.

Oilers need way more depth down the middle and much better goaltending, then look out!
- LeftCoaster

depth down the middle? whats your definiton of this?
we have a true 1. young or not
we have a very solid and capable 3. overpaid or not. and can play 2nd in a pinch
and we have belanger, who is a natural 3rd line center and can even play 2nd in a pinch

our biggest problem is our 2nd line center. who isnt old and many arent ready to give up on yet. i suspect this is a make or break year for gagner in an oiler uniform.

id love a big, star 2nd line center, but having 1 out of 4 as a problem spot doesnt really spell lack of depth.

also, pitlick, lander etc in the minors

as far as dubs. hes never even got a shot at bein a true number 1. hes earned it this season with reasonable numbers on a terrible team.
he certainly hasnt proven he CANT handle it as of yet. far from it actually

depth down the middle? whats your definiton of this?
we have a true 1. young or not
we have a very solid and capable 3. overpaid or not. and can play 2nd in a pinch
and we have belanger, who is a natural 3rd line center and can even play 2nd in a pinch

our biggest problem is our 2nd line center. who isnt old and many arent ready to give up on yet. i suspect this is a make or break year for gagner in an oiler uniform.

id love a big, star 2nd line center, but having 1 out of 4 as a problem spot doesnt really spell lack of depth.

also, pitlick, lander etc in the minors

as far as dubs. hes never even got a shot at bein a true number 1. hes earned it this season with reasonable numbers on a terrible team.
he certainly hasnt proven he CANT handle it as of yet. far from it actually
- hugefemale dog77

I don't think he's slamming Nuge, just saying that Edm doesn't have depth at center....and they don't. Gagner might be good.....might. And if you're counting on Belanger then good luck.

Wouldn't sweat it though, with the potential there, Edm might be a desireable UFA destination for the 1st time since.....uh....ever?

Oilers have no reason to suck this year or next..with all those excellent Draft picks..they have
- Canuckfan2006

these posts make me wanna bang my head against a wall.

after last season--"u got nuge now so why still struggling?"

hes 19, a rookie, and this is still the same basic team that finished 30th.

they were still kids for eff sakes. give em a chance.

I don't think he's slamming Nuge, just saying that Edm doesn't have depth at center....and they don't. Gagner might be good.....might. And if you're counting on Belanger then good luck.

Wouldn't sweat it though, with the potential there, Edm might be a desireable UFA destination for the 1st time since.....uh....ever?
- Farva

i didnt think he was dissing the nuge. why would he?

i just didnt understand what he meant by depth.

now if he had said SIZE in the top 6 or down the middle, id be completely on board with that.

if u dont have all 4 center positions exactly as u hoped..u have no depth? what about a few promising guys in the farm too?

im not saying that center is our strong point. it isnt. but we have some capable and solid guys. as i said, im really only dissapointed at 1 spot. and gags might still turn out.
also, belanger is a strong skating, solid defensively, capable 4th liner. i just wish he were bigger if hes gonna play that role. depth isnt the issue.

does a team need 5 to have good depth?
i just think he might be a little skewed on the oilers.

he did say ebs and hall etc. are still 3 years away ( 5th year) from having the mental maturity to compete for a cup. pat kane won one in his 3rd year (and was one of the main pieces) id say ebs had as much mental maturity as him when he was 16.

i didnt think he was dissing the nuge. why would he?

i just didnt understand what he meant by depth.

if u dont have all 4 center positions exactly as u hoped..u have no depth? what about a few promising guys in the farm too?

im not saying that edmonton centers are our strong point. they arent. but we have some capable and solid guys. as i said, really only dissapointed at 1 spot. and he might still turn out.

does a team need 5 to have good depth?
i just think he might be a little skewed on the oilers.


he did say ebs and hall etc. are still 3 years away from having the mental maturity to compete for a cup. pat kane won one in his 3rd year (and was one of the main pieces) id say ebs had as much mental maturity as him when he was 16.
- hugefemale dog77

Maybe you and I have different definitions of the word "depth". While Edm may have some center prospects coming through the pipeline, that doesn't mean they have depth on the big club.

Pittsburgh, San Jose, and Detroit have depth at center. Edm has depth on the wings.

And the Pat Kane comparison is a weak one. That team had Hossa, Sharp and team of leaders.

Maybe you and I have different definitions of the word "depth". While Edm may have some center prospects coming through the pipeline, that doesn't mean they have depth on the big club.

Pittsburgh, San Jose, and Detroit have depth at center. Edm has depth on the wings.

And the Pat Kane comparison is a weak one. That team had Hossa, Sharp and team of leaders.
- Farva

i never said prospects in the pipeline was my definiton of depth. i asked him what his was. and provided some options.

ill be clear.
the oilers have no interest in changing our 1st line center.
and if not for our his brutal contract, no one would consider changing our 3rd line guy either.
and our 4th line guy has actually proven in the past to be quite a capable 3rd liner.

so we basically have 1 position of 4 that we're not satisfied with...but could still turn out.

this is my point. wheres the horrible depth? what is it exactly?

im no gags fan, and want someone with size in that spot, but, what if he got 60 pts this year? would we then all of a sidden have GOOD depth? 60 pts for a 2nd line center is a good deal above average.

also, toews was the leader and he was younger than all of them. kane was a driving force on that cup winner too.
the burden of proof is on him, not me, to prove why hall and ebs arent mature enough until there 5th year, but said guys were in there 3rd? its just a silly statement with no real meaning

Maybe you and I have different definitions of the word "depth". While Edm may have some center prospects coming through the pipeline, that doesn't mean they have depth on the big club.

Pittsburgh, San Jose, and Detroit have depth at center. Edm has depth on the wings.

And the Pat Kane comparison is a weak one. That team had Hossa, Sharp and team of leaders.
- Farva

So you're saying talent in the top 6 centres? Yeah, we're missing a 2nd line centre, but Nuge is on his way to being a top end guy, and Horcoff and Belanger are fine as our bottom 6 centres.

They're definitely on par with Sutter & Vitale, Handzus & Desjardins, and Helm & Abdelkader.

The Oilers are missing a lot of things. A bona fide 2nd line centre on par with Malkin, Couture or Zetterberg is definitely one of them. But they're not missing "depth" at centre by any stretch of the imagination.