my expectation was more than just a draft pick. I wasn't expecting a gold return like other guys deemed today.
- ChetManly

Petry really isn't worth more than that though. Once again way overvalued by Oilers fans based on the current situation. Other GM's aren't going to give what the fans want, simply because they are butthurt that the player was in the system so long, then left when he was about to become a UFA

if plan is to wait for Nurse/Hanifin to become a stud top pair guy, brossoit to be a starter, when is that? At earliest 3 years from now? Will 26.5YO Hall still be around or will be calling Auston Matthews our best player?

so grim, rough being an oiler fan. wish i could just become a jets fan
- TheNugeIsHuge

I think it is the plan. I dont like it but I dont see another solution. The only way this speeds up is
A: An impactful Free Agent arrives in Edmonton
B: A young player makes the team and makes a key cog expendable for a trade for a more dire need.

I dont see either happening, so we continue to draft and develop and if the time comes when Hall asks for a trade, we make the trade. This teams success does not hinge on Hall and Hall alone.

"I'm confident going forward with Oscar, Justin, Nikita, Andrew and Fayne." MacT on Oilers blueline. #Oilers

— Jason Gregor (@JasonGregor) March 2, 2015

this is why Hendo complains and why my faith in MacT isn't great
- TheNugeIsHuge

This scares me too. He can't be that moronic can he?

Marincin in no way helps this team next year. I expect to hear that crap from NIH, not you sir.
- ruttager17

?

Marincin plays the 2nd toughest competition to Fayne, but wins the possession battle when he's on. He's got some kinks to grind out as most Dmen with <70GP do, but if you think he isn't helping. Well you don't think much rutts so idk

"I'm confident going forward with Oscar, Justin, Nikita, Andrew and Fayne." MacT on Oilers blueline. #Oilers

— Jason Gregor (@JasonGregor) March 2, 2015

this is why Hendo complains and why my faith in MacT isn't great
- TheNugeIsHuge

Grain of salt. Nobody says "My Defensemen suck.".

This scares me too. He can't be that moronic can he?
- Oilfan19

Schultz has norris potential and he's confident in worst or 2nd worst defence league wide. I don't know.

This scares me too. He can't be that moronic can he?
- Oilfan19

Nope...but like I said, nobody slams their own guys.

Grain of salt. Nobody says "My Defensemen suck.".
- Jeropotato

wouldn't be faulted for saying "we could use another body on the backend"

"I'm confident going forward with Oscar, Justin, Nikita, Andrew and Fayne." MacT on Oilers blueline. #Oilers

— Jason Gregor (@JasonGregor) March 2, 2015

this is why Hendo complains and why my faith in MacT isn't great
- TheNugeIsHuge

So u prefer if he threw them under the bus?

Nope...but like I said, nobody slams their own guys.
- Jeropotato

"He is a top-four NHL defenceman," MacTavish on Nikitin. I have to disagree with this statement.

— Jason Gregor (@JasonGregor) March 2, 2015

and you'd think this is over the top

I think it is the plan. I dont like it but I dont see another solution. The only way this speeds up is
A: An impactful Free Agent arrives in Edmonton
B: A young player makes the team and makes a key cog expendable for a trade for a more dire need.

I dont see either happening, so we continue to draft and develop and if the time comes when Hall asks for a trade, we make the trade. This teams success does not hinge on Hall and Hall alone.
- Jeropotato

I know its not what you're saying but why does everyone always say Hall is gonna want out? Nothing he has said or done indicates this. In fact quite the opposite. It pisses me off and people need to shut the (frank) up about it.

So u prefer if he threw them under the bus?
- Ihateallofu

is it either build them up or sh*t on them? not so black and white

In class.
What's mact saying?
How's he doin dodging the grenades bein thrown his direction?
- Ihateallofu

Saying wanted a prospect back for Petry but no one was offering. A deal with another team fell apart and he had to settle for next best deal with Mtl.

Zero interest in moving ebs and yak. Needs a few significant pieces that won't be easy to get. No real offers for other vets.

Big praise for klef.

More same stuff. Sees bright future but going take some time.

Schultz has norris potential and he's confident in worst or 2nd worst defence league wide. I don't know.
- TheNugeIsHuge

Keep in mind if anyone has learned a lesson or 2 about expressing wants and needs publically its Mac T. I'm sure he will try to knab a D-man this summer.

"He is a top-four NHL defenceman," MacTavish on Nikitin. I have to disagree with this statement.

— Jason Gregor (@JasonGregor) March 2, 2015

and you'd think this is over the top
- TheNugeIsHuge

Yeah, thats a stretch....but what else is he gonna say? Nikitin sucks?

I know its not what you're saying but why does everyone always say Hall is gonna want out? Nothing he has said or done indicates this. In fact quite the opposite. It pisses me off and people need to shut the (frank) up about it.
- Iloveeveryone

I just don't know if I see Edmonton in the playoffs 3 years from now. Hall wants to win, badly. Think any 26.5YO guy would probably want to play elsewhere. When's his contract up? 4 years after this?

wouldn't be faulted for saying "we could use another body on the backend"
- TheNugeIsHuge

But then if he's unable to sign said bodies, people would probably refer to the bold statement again.

Or if he signs a secondary player as the only guy that are willing to come here, and buddy doesn't make a huge impact, he's an idiot for doing so

If he can't pull a beauty trade, he waits is my guess

wouldn't be faulted for saying "we could use another body on the backend"
- TheNugeIsHuge

...and if he were unable to do so who wouldnt be up his ass?

Yeah, thats a stretch....but what else is he gonna say? Nikitin sucks?
- Jeropotato

why is the alternative "my defence blows"? Could have said "Nikitin can be an important piece to us" not a positive statement like "Nikitin is unequivocally a top 4 D"

my expectation was more than just a draft pick. I wasn't expecting a gold return like other guys deemed today.
- ChetManly

Why your expectation? Market sets price not us.

...and if he were unable to do so who wouldnt be up his ass?
- Jeropotato

people should be up his ass if they don't add a Dman

"I'm confident going forward with Oscar, Justin, Nikita, Andrew and Fayne." MacT on Oilers blueline. #Oilers

— Jason Gregor (@JasonGregor) March 2, 2015

this is why Hendo complains and why my faith in MacT isn't great
- TheNugeIsHuge

You're taking that out of context. He was not saying that's our group. He is confident in them but also knows and said he needs to add to it.

I just don't know if I see Edmonton in the playoffs 3 years from now. Hall wants to win, badly. Think any 26.5YO guy would probably want to play elsewhere. When's his contract up? 4 years after this?
- TheNugeIsHuge

Maybe...but do the math...how is it humanly possible for the best GM in sports to fast track this thing? Unless we have a player or 2 in the system we are completely unaware of capable of taking on and performing a key role at a high level this will take minimum 3 years.

But then if he's unable to sign said bodies, people would probably refer to the bold statement again.

Or if he signs a secondary player as the only guy that are willing to come here, and buddy doesn't make a huge impact, he's an idiot for doing so

If he can't pull a beauty trade, he waits is my guess
- Ihateallofu

so stating that Nikitin was a top 4 D was undoubtedly his only option here?

Schultz has norris potential and he's confident in worst or 2nd worst defence league wide. I don't know.
- TheNugeIsHuge

Come on. You're usually not this dumb.