watch him play... theres a reason he put up a rediculous amount of points in junior. Crosby wouldnt even be able to produce on this team at this point. (in his rookie years that is.)
- benmacw

I've seen him and play and I'm slowly losing faith in the kid. I was a big Yak supporter but he just doesn't create plays...he might get the puck and do a quick move or something but it leads to nothing. Between a crappy sophomore year where he put up 11 points and 24 points and was a -33 to go along with all his negative press regarding his defensive issues and his even less productive season of 3 goals and 7 points in 21 games this year, I don't think anyone would be willing to deal more than a pair of 2nds on this huge gamble if that even.

watch him play... theres a reason he put up a rediculous amount of points in junior. Crosby wouldnt even be able to produce on this team at this point. (in his rookie years that is.)
- benmacw

Imagine if yak had Lemieux as a buffer/mentor, night and day. Ted Nugent Hoppins would be Sidney like if he was drafted by Pittsburgh.

Could be. But then again it was the pick, not Yak, dummy, so they could have taken Murry or Galchenyuk if they were wise to Yak.

What flavor of paint chips are your favorite?
- Jeropotato

I like red doritos, but on the real, none of those top 3 picks have turned into franchise players. Galchenyuk might be most likely but he seems more like the type that will turn into a great player rather than an elite franchise center. Just a crappy draft that year.

I've seen him and play and I'm slowly losing faith in the kid. I was a big Yak supporter but he just doesn't create plays...he might get the puck and do a quick move or something but it leads to nothing. Between a crappy sophomore year where he put up 11 points and 24 points and was a -33 to go along with all his negative press regarding his defensive issues and his even less productive season of 3 goals and 7 points in 21 games this year, I don't think anyone would be willing to deal more than a pair of 2nds on this huge gamble if that even.
- rangerdanger94

The December 1st game against Arizona is going to be the most watched game this year. If the Oilers lose by more than 2 goals will the entire arena boo the team?? Will there be more hilarious boo'ing videos to watch?

lol I can't wait to see what happens.

The December 1st game against Arizona is going to be the most watched game this year. If the Oilers lose by more than 2 goals will the entire arena boo the team?? Will there be more hilarious boo'ing videos to watch?

lol I can't wait to see what happens.
- RazzDazzle

Cool story bro

And yet most of the other posts on here are saying, "why hasn't he made a trade for the pieces he needs?" Because the price is very high and the pieces the Oilers need are just not traded often. The Oilers need a 1d 1g and a good 2c more than anything else. Easy according to some, but when you really look at it, not so much. Edmonton has also had some good trades made in the past 8 years where the NMC prevented it from happening.
- Al Hacker

Actually, the reluctance of MacT & the Oil to trade any of the "core" is preventing a trade for players we really need.

- DarthYoda

Trade for Evander Kane and Bogosian or Ladd. You have to pieces to get it done.

Actually, the reluctance of MacT & the Oil to trade any of the "core" is preventing a trade for players we really need.
- haymac

I don't agree.

I think mact would trade any of yakupov, eberle, perron and our first for the right price.
problem is, im sure gm's are probably trying to take advantage of a desperate gm.
and as the poster u replied to mentioned, top pairing dmen, 1 goalies and quality centers aren't easy to acquire. and lets not forget that the other team has to be willing. u speak like its a given.
who other than buffalo is unequivocally ready to deal a top pairing dman? or a true number 1 goaltender? and in doing so probably end their season....

Trade for Evander Kane and Bogosian or Ladd. You have to pieces to get it done.
- Champ

This.... That we do...

I don't agree.

I think mact would trade any of yakupov, eberle, perron and our first for the right price.
problem is, im sure gm's are probably trying to take advantage of a desperate gm.
and as the poster u replied to mentioned, top pairing dmen, 1 goalies and quality centers aren't easy to acquire. and lets not forget that the other team has to be willing. u speak like its a given.
who other than buffalo is unequivocally ready to deal a top pairing dman? or a true number 1 goaltender? and in doing so probably end their season....
- hugefemale dog77

Leddy and Boychuk were available at the beginning of the season... the fact the Oilers didn't get 1 of them is purely bad management.

The Oilers need to make changes.. they are desperate.. if you have to overpay to get the player you need to finally win some games then you're going to have to overpay. MacT made this decision earlier in the year when he decided that the team was good enough and passed on giving up anything for Boychuk or Leddy.

Crosby/malkin
- Yeti1181

Ok, you guys are making me mad now. I've said NUMEROUS TIMES that you're not getting Crosby or Malkin if you're not willing to give up Aulie and Lander.

Leddy and Boychuk were available at the beginning of the season... the fact the Oilers didn't get 1 of them is purely bad management.

The Oilers need to make changes.. they are desperate.. if you have to overpay to get the player you need to finally win some games then you're going to have to overpay. MacT made this decision earlier in the year when he decided that the team was good enough and passed on giving up anything for Boychuk or Leddy.
- RazzDazzle

you're that habs fan right?

Leddy and Boychuk were available at the beginning of the season... the fact the Oilers didn't get 1 of them is purely bad management.

The Oilers need to make changes.. they are desperate.. if you have to overpay to get the player you need to finally win some games then you're going to have to overpay. MacT made this decision earlier in the year when he decided that the team was good enough and passed on giving up anything for Boychuk or Leddy.
- RazzDazzle

Source?

I like red doritos, but on the real, none of those top 3 picks have turned into franchise players. Galchenyuk might be most likely but he seems more like the type that will turn into a great player rather than an elite franchise center. Just a crappy draft that year.
- rangerdanger94

Which is why no one offered much for the pick. poopty draft years happen.

Actually, the reluctance of MacT & the Oil to trade any of the "core" is preventing a trade for players we really need.
- haymac

Yup

Leddy and Boychuk were available at the beginning of the season... the fact the Oilers didn't get 1 of them is purely bad management.

The Oilers need to make changes.. they are desperate.. if you have to overpay to get the player you need to finally win some games then you're going to have to overpay. MacT made this decision earlier in the year when he decided that the team was good enough and passed on giving up anything for Boychuk or Leddy.
- RazzDazzle

DNot think Leddy is much of an add, plus we didn't have the cap space to take Boychuck and Boston wasn't taking any cap back, and Mac T was still unsure of his Center ice depth and needed the space so......suck it?

Leddy and Boychuk were available at the beginning of the season... the fact the Oilers didn't get 1 of them is purely bad management.

The Oilers need to make changes.. they are desperate.. if you have to overpay to get the player you need to finally win some games then you're going to have to overpay. MacT made this decision earlier in the year when he decided that the team was good enough and passed on giving up anything for Boychuk or Leddy.
- RazzDazzle

leddy isn't a top pairing dman. hes a better skating Schultz with inferior hands.
so u mean just boychuk. debateable that's hes a true top pairing guy, but yes, hed help us.
so do u have a link to the story that told you that mact refused to offer up anything for him? or is this opinion trying to be passed as fact?

and every team that could use a defencemen has bad management cause they were outbid by nyi for boychuk?
or anytime a player is traded and another team could've also used said player, they have bad management?
does this apply to every single team in the league or just the oilers?

why is that the most of the people who have the easy answers and are generally just trolls, also have such terrible logic skills?

Boychuk is a lightning rod for hindsight judgements.

Not many said at the time of the trade that the Isles were acquiring a #1 dman by league standards.

MacT can be faulted for being a little risk-averse though for sure. By the same token, It's quite possible we pay more than the Isles - a 1st, a 2nd, and a 3rd for example - and he walks at the end of this year with no interest in re-signing.

Boychuk is a lightning rod for hindsight judgements.

Not many said at the time of the trade that the Isles were acquiring a #1 dman by league standards.

MacT can be faulted for being a little risk-averse though for sure. By the same token, It's quite possible we pay more than the Isles - a 1st, a 2nd, and a 3rd for example - and he walks at the end of this year with no interest in re-signing.
- Morris

I wanted boychuk, u know this. but the rationale from the posters who questioned it was extremely sound it most cases.

can u imagine if we paid the price uve mentioned, and are struggling the way we are right now?
holy eff. the haters would be out in full force x911
"u just gave up mcdavid for boychuk. and he probably walks on u!!hahahahah. mact is so stupid"

but of course there would be no mention of the risk he took after everyone said he wont take a risk.

Boychuk is a lightning rod for hindsight judgements.

Not many said at the time of the trade that the Isles were acquiring a #1 dman by league standards.

MacT can be faulted for being a little risk-averse though for sure. By the same token, It's quite possible we pay more than the Isles - a 1st, a 2nd, and a 3rd for example - and he walks at the end of this year with no interest in re-signing.
- Morris

Using hindsight I would much rather have Boychuk than Nikitin.

I don't agree.

I think mact would trade any of yakupov, eberle, perron and our first for the right price.
problem is, im sure gm's are probably trying to take advantage of a desperate gm.
and as the poster u replied to mentioned, top pairing dmen, 1 goalies and quality centers aren't easy to acquire. and lets not forget that the other team has to be willing. u speak like its a given.
who other than buffalo is unequivocally ready to deal a top pairing dman? or a true number 1 goaltender? and in doing so probably end their season....
- hugefemale dog77

I don't know why you'd disagree. How many times has MacT proclaimed in the media that they are not trading their "core"? There's speculation as to exactly which Players he includes in the core, but by making statements like that, MacT is severely limiting his options in the trade market. You have to give quality to get it and MacT's public stance on not trading any part of his core leaves him to only trade 3rd/4th liners, prospects, picks or try to sign UFAs. So, in the face of MacT's statements about the core, how can you possibly speculate that he's even tried to trade either Ebs or Yak?
Our season is lost now so I'd prefer that they retain their 1st pick next year---unless the return was absolutely huge, but no GM would trade a significant asset until year's end when the draft order is actually known.

I wanted boychuk, u know this. but the rationale from the posters who questioned it was extremely sound it most cases.

can u imagine if we paid the price uve mentioned, and are struggling the way we are right now?
holy eff. the haters would be out in full force x911
"u just gave up mcdavid for boychuk. and he probably walks on u!!hahahahah. mact is so stupid"

but of course there would be no mention of the risk he took after everyone said he wont take a risk.
- hugefemale dog77

http://www.edmontonjourna...dlvr.it-twitter-ej_oilers

I suppose if I'm interested in Anisimov, I'm essentially interested in a similar kind of player in Berglund. High value package we'd be sending out though

Using hindsight I would much rather have Boychuk than Nikitin.
- Dangles13

Gawd, I remember my reaction to signing Nik. Columbus gave up on him at the end of the season and was sent off to the press box, but MacT gives him big bucks, long-term. That just illustrates both his inexperience and perhaps his desperation as a rookie GM IMO.
I felt the same way about Purcell. He's been driving T.B Fans crazy with his soft play and although he has size and can dangle, he's been pretty ineffective in Tampa so they were happy to see him go.

I thought MacT did fine with getting Pouliot & Fayne as more of the type of player who could help us, even if he did have to pay a premium to get them---that's ok.