that was a crazy summer ....but the bounce back was amazing in that it was basically a year. For fans who paid attention (not me) to what do you attribute the success of the secondary players? Drafting,/scouting, coaching, smart trades?

Pretty incredible that Ladd, Brouwer, Buff, Campbell, and the rest could so easily (it seems) be replaced in such short order.
- Jeropotato

They still had their top-4 forwards, plus Bolland - as good a top-level forward group as any in the league.

They still had their top-3 defenseman - as good as any 3 in the league.

None of the young players played outstandingly well - the at best performed as bottom-6/bottom-3 skaters; at worst they didn't screw up.

And some "alte-cockers" came thru more than expected - Handzuz, Roszival, Osuya (ok, not that old).

It was enough.

A little bit of all of the above I guess, and a lot of luck.

If I had to put the focus on just one thing, I'd probably say drafting...especially later round drafting.

When you have guys not drafted in round 1 like Shaw (5th) and Saad (mid-2nd) being major contributors in a Championship run two years after being drafted...you're doing something right

Of course having a truly elite core to build around helps just a bit. Those Toews, Kane, Hossa, Keith, and Seabrook guys are alright.
- Ogilthorpe2

Don't forget Sharp, but yeah, that is as good a group of 6 players as any in the NHL....only the Kings comes somewhat close.

Don't forget Sharp, but yeah, that is as good a group of 6 players as any in the NHL....only the Kings comes somewhat close.
- Jeropotato

I didn't forget.

I didn't forget.
- Ogilthorpe2

Even in 2010 when the Oilers started their rebuild I knew it would take a long while...gotta draft the Defense first so they all hit their primes at the same time.Chicago had it timed perfectly. I still have a lot of faith in the Oilers core forward group being among the best in league a couple seasons from now, and I think the D-Core of Nurse,Klefbom, Schultz and Marincin will be among the best as well....in about 5 years

I'd sure like Brouwer back.


- jhawk159

That is what was said about Versteeg

that was a crazy summer ....but the bounce back was amazing in that it was basically a year. For fans who paid attention (not me) to what do you attribute the success of the secondary players? Drafting,/scouting, coaching, smart trades?

Pretty incredible that Ladd, Brouwer, Buff, Campbell, and the rest could so easily (it seems) be replaced in such short order.
- Jeropotato

it took two seasons...

Leddy for Victor Rask, Jay Harrison and a 2nd.
- BINGO!

Done. Send in the paperwork.

Sharp isn't going anywhere this season. People need to accept that. And trading Leddy improves the D no matter what mirages people see as improvements in his game.

Done. Send in the paperwork.
- Elbows15

'Mornin sunshine.

Sharp isn't going anywhere this season. People need to accept that. And trading Leddy improves the D no matter what mirages people see as improvements in his game.
- Elbows15

No.

No, no, no, no, no, no.

I will never give up on my dreams.

Not sure we can say Q never gave Leddy a chance - 16:22 ATOI last year, 2:00 ATOI on the PP.
- StLBravesFan

This is the biggest fallacy regarding Leddy. People want to blame Q for not holding his hand and developing him.

Here is the truth. In the biggest games of the last two seasons, the great Nick Leddy found himself stapled to the bench BECAUSE Leddy has not made the improvements in his game to be trusted in crucial situations. And we all saw what happened when he was trusted in Game 7.

And before anyone thinks I am blaming him for having the puck bounce off of him, the was the least of his issues on that play.

'Mornin sunshine.
- Ogilthorpe2

Hey pal.

I have read some scary things. I think I saw Morin and Bickell as 1st line wingers. Good god.

No.

No, no, no, no, no, no.

I will never give up on my dreams.
- Ogilthorpe2

You need better dreams.

Donovan & 4th for Leddy
- Vukota

Make it a 3rd and you can keep Donovan.

Saad would be a good add for the Oilers
- Reveen

He sure would. He isn't going anywhere.

You need better dreams.
- Elbows15

Make it a 3rd and you can keep Donovan.
- Elbows15

Sunshine Superman?

Hey pal.

I have read some scary things. I think I saw Morin and Bickell as 1st line wingers. Good god.
- Elbows15

You saw correctly.

- Ogilthorpe2

Need to lay off the spicy food before bed. That will fix that poop right up.

Hey pal.

I have read some scary things. I think I saw Morin and Bickell as 1st line wingers. Good god.
- Elbows15

Well, if Sharp is the skater moved out....

That is what was said about Versteeg
- fvineze

Brouwer had 25 goals and 18 assists last season 14 more that Brian Bickell and has been a consistent scorer while Bickell has his ups and downs. If I had a choice between the two I'd rather have Brouwer.

Well, if Sharp is the skater moved out....
- StLBravesFan

Yeah. That would be bad. Real bad. An unproven guy with defensive issues and another guy with consistency issues playing with one of the 3 best two way players in the game. Yikes.

Yeah. That would be bad. Real bad. An unproven guy with defensive issues and another guy with consistency issues playing with one of the 3 best two way players in the game. Yikes.
- Elbows15

Bickell, assuming he's healthy, would be fine with 19 and 81. Wayne Sharp is not irreplaceable.

Oh and enjoy ya ban. That kinda poop isn't tolerated around these parts.
- Elbows15

Not from mere mortals like us.

Bickell, assuming he's healthy, would be fine with 19 and 81. Wayne Sharp is not irreplaceable.
- Ogilthorpe2

No one is irreplaceable. But thinking a guy who has never scored more than 17 goals is going to make a huge leap in production is unrealistic. This is not a young guy we are talking about.

Replacing a consistent 30 goal scorer is not as easy as you think.