Don't want to get set on making the playoffs but there is a chance. The wildcard is up for grabs just as much as 3rd in the pacific. Even in Anaheim keeps it going we might be able to beat someone out of that position
- OilerFan16

We arent making the playoffs but I agree the wildcard would be a better shot than the #3 in the pacific.

At least you guys had last year..
- Oilfan19

Yep was a fun little blip in the years of so close but so far...
Will be an interesting trade deadline if anything.

its a sad state of hockey in Canada this year...
- geta02it

I knew mtl was a bubble team without price, so I ain't that shocked.

But I'm definitely surprised about Winnipeg. Big, physical, young, can score, deep on defence etc

I thought they were gonna be a real factor. Lack of a true 1c and mediocre tending'll do it to ya I guess

I knew mtl was a bubble team without price, so I ain't that shocked.

But I'm definitely surprised about Winnipeg. Big, physical, young, can score, deep on defence etc

I thought they were gonna be a real factor. Lack of a true 1c and mediocre tending'll do it to ya I guess
- HB77

Shhhh, don't say that out loud.... it'll bring all the Habs trolls out...

Agree on the Peg although thats a pretty tough division. I thought we'd at least be a middle of the pack bubble team. I didn't think you guys would be this bad. The Nucks I don't get. I'm waiting for the epic crash but somehow they're sticking around...

Don't lie, you're already excited.
I'm as cynical and pessimistic as they come, and I totally understand as an oiler fan feeling like something horrible like a piano falling on Connors head could happen at any moment. but it's impossible to not be super amped after watching what that kid does for our lineup.

Not only does he have jaw dropping speed, smarts and talent, but now he's got another supremely talented snipe in eberle goin. Plus, he's keeping opposing defences honest and hanging back which eases the pressure on our porous defence.
And even better, Connor being keyed on allows Leon/hall to not be a focal point and get easier matchups. Which they can dominate
- HB77

Yeah I get this but it's just not as funny saying it this way.

I knew mtl was a bubble team without price, so I ain't that shocked.

But I'm definitely surprised about Winnipeg. Big, physical, young, can score, deep on defence etc

I thought they were gonna be a real factor. Lack of a true 1c and mediocre tending'll do it to ya I guess
- HB77

A bubble team? That's just pure flattery at this point.

A bubble team? That's just pure flattery at this point.
- RonPielep

Spector.... With Ebs surge does that affect his availability?

You could put jb on Mc's wing and he would score 30.

Spector.... With Ebs surge does that affect his availability?

You could put jb on Mc's wing and he would score 30.
- DouglasFir

Maybe

You'd have to think chia sees the big picture and a couple games ain't gonna change that. If he thinks a different skill set/position helps us more, the last couple games ain't gonna give him much more than a little pause.

But you don't just wanna assume that any plug is gonna succeed with Connor and diminish what his line can bring. eBs is supremely talented himself, and when someone else is drawing defenders like Connor does, you see what he can do with space. Plus, said plug would probably always defer to Connor whereas ebs won't do that.

I've sorta been back and forth, and it's prob not completely fair to gauge without seeing them all in the lineup together. but i think nuge is probably the more expendable one between eberle and him just based on a few things, including what we've seen in the last couple games

Maybe

You'd have to think chia sees the big picture and a couple games ain't gonna change that. If he thinks a different skill set/position helps us more, the last couple games ain't gonna give him much more than a little pause.

But you don't just wanna assume that any plug is gonna succeed with Connor and diminish what his line can bring. eBs is supremely talented himself, and when someone else is drawing defenders like Connor does, you see what he can do with space. Plus, said plug would probably always defer to Connor whereas ebs won't do that.

I've sorta been back and forth, and it's prob not completely fair to gauge without seeing them all in the lineup together. but i think nuge is probably the more expendable one between eberle and him just based on a few things, including what we've seen in the last couple games
- HB77

Agreed!

You guys might be climbing the standings these next few weeks.

If you can get a few points out of the rest of the road trip; you have a 6 game home stand against 4 non-playoff teams, Colorado and Anaheim.

Not trying to piss anyone off here but two games against Anaheim in 10 days = someones getting injured. Such a dirty, sack of sh*t team.

Maybe

You'd have to think chia sees the big picture and a couple games ain't gonna change that. If he thinks a different skill set/position helps us more, the last couple games ain't gonna give him much more than a little pause.

But you don't just wanna assume that any plug is gonna succeed with Connor and diminish what his line can bring. eBs is supremely talented himself, and when someone else is drawing defenders like Connor does, you see what he can do with space. Plus, said plug would probably always defer to Connor whereas ebs won't do that.

I've sorta been back and forth, and it's prob not completely fair to gauge without seeing them all in the lineup together. but i think nuge is probably the more expendable one between eberle and him just based on a few things, including what we've seen in the last couple games
- HB77

This, is ebs continues the good play with mcdavid there's no way he gets traded unless it's an overpayment. Think we trade nuge/1st + for that top pairing guy

TMac said it well after last nights game, he said team toughness wasn't really an issue. Certainly not a tough team to play against but with gryba nurse Hendricks and Kassian we got guys who are physical and will fight need be. Not sure why everyone thinks mcdavid needs to be protected. If a guy wants to take out his knee or something he will. Having a tough guy on his line only makes Mcdavid less effective

This, is ebs continues the good play with mcdavid there's no way he gets traded unless it's an overpayment. Think we trade nuge/1st + for that top pairing guy
- OilerFan16

Nuge and a first is a huge package

My guess is that package could at least attract almost any caliber of defender that was potentially available


And if we're talking about the hamonics/shattenkirks/brodins etc, who are hella good themselves, just not quite in the very elite group, I think we could get it done with just one or the other (nuge or the 1st) as the main asset going the other way.
I'd love to have hamonic, but theres zero chance I pay much more than nuge alone for him. I'd actually ask for an extra asset from them

Nuge and a first is a huge package

My guess is that package could at least attract almost any caliber of defender that was potentially available


And if we're talking about the hamonics/shattenkirks/brodins etc, who are hella good themselves, just not quite in the very elite group, I think we could get it done with just one or the other (nuge or the 1st) as the main asset going the other way.
I'd love to have hamonic, but theres zero chance I pay much more than nuge alone for him. I'd actually ask for an extra asset from them
- HB77

Yeah I wasn't talking nuge +the first as no damn who is worth that is likely available. Nuge should be able to get any of those guys straight up and yes I agree id want more as well.

Nuge and a first is a huge package

My guess is that package could at least attract almost any caliber of defender that was potentially available


And if we're talking about the hamonics/shattenkirks/brodins etc, who are hella good themselves, just not quite in the very elite group, I think we could get it done with just one or the other (nuge or the 1st) as the main asset going the other way.
I'd love to have hamonic, but theres zero chance I pay much more than nuge alone for him. I'd actually ask for an extra asset from them
- HB77

Nuge has more value than Hamonic

You guys might be climbing the standings these next few weeks.

If you can get a few points out of the rest of the road trip; you have a 6 game home stand against 4 non-playoff teams, Colorado and Anaheim.

Not trying to piss anyone off here but two games against Anaheim in 10 days = someones getting injured. Such a dirty, sack of sh*t team.
- fry

I'd like to know how Anaheim gets away with that dirty poop.... I would even call LA a dirty sack of sh*t team.

I'd like to know how Anaheim gets away with that dirty poop.... I would even call LA a dirty sack of sh*t team.
- prismo

Me too. They have to be aware of the wrist slashing epidemic by now. The league's quality of reffing is garbage.

Me too. They have to be aware of the wrist slashing epidemic by now. The league's quality of reffing is garbage.
- fry

Certain teams are allowed more slack than others.

Wow- what a game last night... Nurse - even though struggled a good chunk of the season will leave many fans focusing on how he absolutely killed it in that Mcormick fight...
If this trend continues- what it does prove is Nuge is expendable... And I am game to send Nuge for top dman this off season... I like the Clends pick up as it lights a fire under Jultz's ass - (frank)ing jultz even threw a hit last night Davidson needs to be continued on the PP as Sekeras... Absolutely love that PP... had it been clicking the same as it did with McDavid prior to the injury - easily 3-4 more wins which would put us in the thick of things... Hard to imagine where we would be if we flipped 50% of those 1 goal losses and had got at least a point out of them... They are playing some inspired hockey of late- weaker east conf teams but still... Keep this roll going into Mtl on Sat... Talbot will be huge for us down the stretch...
- saskoil21

I've been saying Nuge is expendable for months now, where were you?

I've been saying Nuge is expendable for months now, where were you?
- Jeropotato

Could Nuge maybe be shifted to the wing ? Play Drai and RNH like Detroit played Datsyuk and Zetterberg.

Hall / Draisaitl / RNH
Eberle / McDavid / Pouliot

Could Nuge maybe be shifted to the wing ? Play Drai and RNH like Detroit played Datsyuk and Zetterberg.

Hall / Draisaitl / RNH
Eberle / McDavid / Pouliot
- prismo

Maybe but you're not thinking about Cap dollars. Gonna have to trim away a 6 million dollar forward eventually.

Could Nuge maybe be shifted to the wing ? Play Drai and RNH like Detroit played Datsyuk and Zetterberg.

Hall / Draisaitl / RNH
Eberle / McDavid / Pouliot
- prismo

LD played well on the wing. Put Nuge as primary center.

Multiple centers conforms to what Coach did with his team in SJ.

Maybe but you're not thinking about Cap dollars. Gonna have to trim away a 6 million dollar forward eventually.
- Jeropotato

The only way I let go Nuge is in a trade for Shattenkirk, who has agreed to re-sign. Straight across or minor pieces added.

I dangle Fayne plus more for Hamonic.

Klef/Shat
Sek/Ham
Nurse.Gryba.Reinhart.Davidson