I totally agree. He isn't getting what he needs in Edmonton that is for sure. Eakins never used him properly nor does Todd Nelson. Sad state in Edmonton.
- thundachunk

What does Oiler management think? These kids are going to have the mental fortitude to deal with losing season after season? Most of those kids only know winning. That's all they have done their whole careers.

Mix the never ending losses and unrealistic expectations with a rotating coaching staff and you've created the perfect environment for destroying young careers. Well done Lowe. You are a (frank)ing genius.

I was thinking stopgap until Virtanen was ready
- VANTEL

CHI is gonna get some good offers for him, even if teams know they're in cap trouble. I really think Benning is gonna push for Virtanen to make the team like he did with Horvat this year(WD wasn't as excited about Bo if you read his comments from earlier). I'd rather trade for a stopgap who's a lot less expensive to acquire in terms of assets if need be.

But trading picks/prospects/young players for vets is not what this team should be doing.

I agree with your assessment that the team views Vey as a future piece and Kassian not, it just disappoints me that when Kassian seemingly took some steps forward he still isn't given any more leash.
- belcherbd

That is their decision. I don't know what goes on behind closed doors, but Benning and Desjardins seem like reasonable managers

CHI is gonna get some good offers for him, even if teams know they're in cap trouble. I really think Benning is gonna push for Virtanen to make the team like he did with Horvat this year(WD wasn't as excited about Bo if you read his comments from earlier). I'd rather trade for a stopgap who's a lot less expensive to acquire in terms of assets if need be.

But trading picks/prospects/young players for vets is not what this team should be doing.
- Nucker101

I wouldn't offer Chicago anything significant more than Kassian straight up. I am not trying to help Chicago but rather take advantage of their cap situation

CHI is gonna get some good offers for him, even if teams know they're in cap trouble. I really think Benning is gonna push for Virtanen to make the team like he did with Horvat this year(WD wasn't as excited about Bo if you read his comments from earlier). I'd rather trade for a stopgap who's a lot less expensive to acquire in terms of assets if need be.

But trading picks/prospects/young players for vets is not what this team should be doing.
- Nucker101

Which is why they should keep Matthias.

From TSN;



No kidding.
- bloatedmosquito

I read that earlier and was going to post it in the Leafs thread to thank them for their input in here this morning.

What does Oiler management think? These kids are going to have the mental fortitude to deal with losing season after season? Most of those kids only know winning. That's all they have done their whole careers.

Mix the never ending losses and unrealistic expectations with a rotating coaching staff and you've created the perfect environment for destroying young careers. Well done Lowe. You are a (frank)ing genius.
- bloatedmosquito

Ralph Kruger was the only coach to start having any success and it was only in one season. Then MacT becomes GM and he is canned. I agree that as a GM you want to put your stamp on a team but come on he was making progress were no one else could. Not even MacT when he was coaching was able to make it work with all the youth.(I think MacT is an excellent coach not GM material)

theres a new blog up by the way.

theres a new blog up by the way.
- pker2theend

Thanks. I was just skimming the comments before I posted, to see if there's anything I missed while I was writing.

Here ya go:

http://www.hockeybuzz.com...Prospect-Update/194/66504

Exactly. The beginning was soooo good and then fell back into typical video game clichés.
- bloatedmosquito

Exactly. I'm not usually sold on most gameplay features since I suck at video games, so for me the story has to be compelling or I don't really feel like playing