I'm far from convinced that Dallas is better than us on paper and even Colorado doesn't look far and away better. I'd say Chicago is currently worse on paper, as well. We're probably in that playoff bubble tier of teams that'll compete for the wildcard spots. Whether we make it or not will depend on McDavid and the health of our blueline (Klefbom and Sekera).
- MaximumBone

Avs have a better D core and 2 goalies that are arguably better than your starter.

Give me your validation and love

Well no poop the health of the blue line is a factor....but seriously...look at those wingers we have🤮
- ChuckSchuldiner

And look at how our C depth compares to those other teams. Seguin and Spezza, Mackinnon and Jost/Kerfoot and Toews and Schmaltz Vs McDavid and Draisaitl/RNH. The Avs are lacking on the left side of their backend, Dallas is shallow at C and D and Chicago is weak on their backend. Every team in that playoff bubble have some flaws on their rosters and some strengths; that's what makes them a bubble team.

Avs have a better D core and 2 goalies that are arguably better than your starter.

Give me your validation and love
- DDM-Coga

Only a marginally better D corp depending on how Barrie produces but (assuming health) I'd take our 4 through 7 over the Avs'. As for the goalies, they're complete unpredictable. Talbot from every year prior to last year is equal to or greater than Grubauer and Varlamov seems rather streaker. 1A/1B tandems rarely work out as hoped so I'd expect one to take the reigns rather quickly.

And look at how our C depth compares to those other teams. Seguin and Spezza, Mackinnon and Jost/Kerfoot and Toews and Schmaltz Vs McDavid and Draisaitl/RNH. The Avs are lacking on the left side of their backend, Dallas is shallow at C and D and Chicago is weak on their backend. Every team in that playoff bubble have some flaws on their rosters and some strengths; that's what makes them a bubble team.
- MaximumBone

Nice final sentence you smug bastard. How long have you been i to hockey, 5 maybe 6 years?

Nice final sentence you smug bastard. How long have you been i to hockey, 5 maybe 6 years?
- ChuckSchuldiner

Nice attempt at an ad homenim against something that wasn't at all smug. Care to address my point or will you continue to engage as a child would?

Nice final sentence you smug bastard. How long have you been i to hockey, 5 maybe 6 years?
- ChuckSchuldiner

Calm your tits new guy.

And in response to your post in the last thread, Snow was removed as GM but is still employed by the Islanders. He wasn’t fired from the organization sadly.

Calm your tits new guy.

And in response to your post in the last thread, Snow was removed as GM but is still employed by the Islanders. He wasn’t fired from the organization sadly.
- Wildschwein

Is this the first time you have had dealings with Jero?

Nice final sentence you smug bastard. How long have you been i to hockey, 5 maybe 6 years?
- ChuckSchuldiner

New guy seems familiar somehow I reckon.

And for the good news...

This is basically the same roster the Oilers started thier 2016-2017 season with. With what is an extremely young team slowly getting nhl experience.

Injuries, coaching, goaltending obviously, and internal development will be the biggest factors on success. Personally feel this roster is twice as good as Vegas last year. Sky is the limit.

Is this the first time you have had dealings with Jero?
- leonkennedy

Jesus jump(frank) Christ...

How the hell is a guy supposed to keep track anymore? 😫

Jesus jump(frank) Christ...

How the hell is a guy supposed to keep track anymore? 😫
- Wildschwein

Like smelly says, seems familiar.

Jesus jump(frank) Christ...

How the hell is a guy supposed to keep track anymore? 😫
- Wildschwein

Mr Bobby is always Mr Bobby.

Mr Bobby is always Mr Bobby.
- smellmyfinger

That’s the muther(frank)ing truth.

Also hurry up and sign Maroon. I’m starting to get nervous.

Mr Bobby is always Mr Bobby.
- smellmyfinger

This. Often imitated, never duplicated.

New guy seems familiar somehow I reckon.
- smellmyfinger

smh

I heard Poolparty might be used in a trade.
You hear anything about that sean?
- SRam19

He's one mediocre season away from being on bust watch.

Only a marginally better D corp depending on how Barrie produces but (assuming health) I'd take our 4 through 7 over the Avs'. As for the goalies, they're complete unpredictable. Talbot from every year prior to last year is equal to or greater than Grubauer and Varlamov seems rather streaker. 1A/1B tandems rarely work out as hoped so I'd expect one to take the reigns rather quickly.
- MaximumBone

Marginal? You have Kris Russell playing meaningful minutes. Case close

You have no idea how good Girard and aren't giving enough credit to Zadorov. Be Better

And for the good news...

This is basically the same roster the Oilers started thier 2016-2017 season with. With what is an extremely young team slowly getting nhl experience.

Injuries, coaching, goaltending obviously, and internal development will be the biggest factors on success. Personally feel this roster is twice as good as Vegas last year. Sky is the limit.
- Aerchon

Yeah but you also thought last years roster was a cup contender...so...you don’t really have a fukin clue.

Yeah but you also thought last years roster was a cup contender...so...you don’t really have a fukin clue.
- Iggysbff

A lot of analysts did too. Did they not have a clue as well? The team underachieved, they probably would have made the playoffs had Talbot been better and Sekera and Klefbom weren't injured. Cup contenders? I don't think so, but they were highly touted for a reason.

[quote=HB77]

I'm not sleeping on them this year. Took some time to get adjusted but once they did they were a decent team.

A lot of analysts did too. Did they not have a clue as well? The team underachieved, they probably would have made the playoffs had Talbot been better and Sekera and Klefbom weren't injured. Cup contenders? I don't think so, but they were highly touted for a reason.
- Oilers4Life14

(frank) off!!!

At this point I'm convinced the greatest improvement they can make is finding a way to shed themselves of Lucic. Addition by subtraction. Dont care what comes in to replace him, he cannot play anymore. Knew the contract was gonna come back and bite them, didnt expect it to happen the 2nd year of the deal. If they can somehow find a way out from Lucic and Russell they're in a great position.

(frank) off!!!
- leonkennedy

I 2nd this notion.

A lot of analysts did too. Did they not have a clue as well? The team underachieved, they probably would have made the playoffs had Talbot been better and Sekera and Klefbom weren't injured. Cup contenders? I don't think so, but they were highly touted for a reason.
- Oilers4Life14

They didn’t have a clue. As you do not. Many of us here said they were not close to contenders.

So fuk off idiot.

They didn’t have a clue. As you do not. Many of us here said they were not close to contenders.

So fuk off idiot.
- Iggysbff

Most around here expected improvement or to remain as competitive. I predicted regression, but not to that extent.