Richard Cloutier: There's No Solution

Improved effort, consistency, and good coaching might helps us overcome any deficiencies we have on the blueline, the bottom 6, and perhaps goaltending. Might not entirely mitigate our deficiencies, but it's a start until we hit next years free agent crop to keep adding.

i think the Oilers could be a good fit for that absolute psycho Tim Thomas... if he can still stop the puck, why not?

i think the Oilers could be a good fit for that absolute psycho Tim Thomas... if he can still stop the puck, why not?
- DoubleDown

If the price is right, I will not object.

Agreed...I think its all a wait and see for now... We would ideally like a bruiser but maybe with perron - having some secondary scoring might be enough to tickle with the playoffs... and we will have the top dmen and fwds in time- the kids just need to fill out and grow... and or not be injured...lol

Oilers have to hope that belov and klefbom are great this year so they can trade smid and schultz for some quality third line wingers.

Oilers have to do what the NYR did...take a top-6 player (Gaborik) and move that top-6 player for 2 bottom-6 players (Dorsett & Brassard) and a younger prospect (Moore).

Or move Hemsky + EDM 2014 1st round pick to get two bottom-6 players.


I'm glad the NYI have:

3rd: Grabner - Regin - Clutterbuck
4th: Martin - Cizikas - McDonald

Such a solid bottom-6.


Before I get blasted for this...EDM doesnt have to move a top-6 player NOW...but when they are closer to playoff contention they SHOULD.

He's not really good enough to be a Top 4 defenseman in the NHL, and he's too expensive as a 5/6

You are so dumb it hurts me. Justin Schultz will have 100+P seasons and win a Norris, but Smid isn't top 4. The people that defend you must have a hard, hard time.

i think the Oilers could be a good fit for that absolute psycho Tim Thomas... if he can still stop the puck, why not?
- DoubleDown

see him with colorado, his nuclear bomb shelter is in colorado, only has to come out for road games.

Oilers have to do what the NYR did...take a top-6 player (Gaborik) and move that top-6 player for 2 bottom-6 players (Dorsett & Brassard) and a younger prospect (Moore).

Or move Hemsky + EDM 2014 1st round pick to get two bottom-6 players.


I'm glad the NYI have:

3rd: Grabner - Regin - Clutterbuck
4th: Martin - Cizikas - McDonald

Such a solid bottom-6.


Before I get blasted for this...EDM doesnt have to move a top-6 player NOW...but when they are closer to playoff contention they SHOULD.
- kcNYI

dont worry, you would only get blasted of the isles were relevant.

Oilers have to hope that belov and klefbom are great this year so they can trade smid and schultz for some quality third line wingers.
- BleedOil06

if you're depending on rookie dmen to be great, you're in trouble.

Oilers have to do what the NYR did...take a top-6 player (Gaborik) and move that top-6 player for 2 bottom-6 players (Dorsett & Brassard) and a younger prospect (Moore).

Or move Hemsky + EDM 2014 1st round pick to get two bottom-6 players.


I'm glad the NYI have:

3rd: Grabner - Regin - Clutterbuck
4th: Martin - Cizikas - McDonald

Such a solid bottom-6.
- kcNYI

considering EDM's first could be top 10, that's a dumb idea.

and NYI's got great C depth. Tavares, Nielsen, Cizikas, Nelson, Strome, Bailey. Don't know anything about Regin

EDM's SV% was 7th in the league. How is goaltending still relevant? I'd like Tim Thomas as much as the next guy, but not close to a pressing need.

Top pairing, cleaned up bottom 6. That's what's in the way of EDM's playoff contention

Agreed...I think its all a wait and see for now... We would ideally like a bruiser but maybe with perron - having some secondary scoring might be enough to tickle with the playoffs... and we will have the top dmen and fwds in time- the kids just need to fill out and grow... and or not be injured...lol
- saskoil21

at this point now, i also stay pat and just look at the options edm has. if there is a move for hemsky or a d-man to go, then i'd consider it.

would you package one or more of the defense prospects for shea weber once a year has passed after his offer sheet match?

EDM's SV% was 7th in the league. How is goaltending still relevant? I'd like Tim Thomas as much as the next guy, but not close to a pressing need.

Top pairing, cleaned up bottom 6. That's what's in the way of EDM's playoff contention
- TheNugeIsHuge

just checked. surprised to see how good Dubnyk's numbers were, especially behind that defence...

You are so dumb it hurts me. Justin Schultz will have 100+P seasons and win a Norris, but Smid isn't top 4. The people that defend you must have a hard, hard time.
- TheNugeIsHuge

LOL. Trolls are funny.

LOL. Trolls are funny.
- Maxbone

Troll He's in his own teams blog

Your Smid hate is one of the major reasons I questions your hockey sense Clouts.

Smid has carried the defense core on his back here for awhile and is still young. He was a 9th overall in his draft year. Immediately put in over his head and has significantly improved almost every single year he has played in the NHL.

By the numbers, his TOI and general effectiveness the last couple years he technically is our #1... I realize that shouldn't happen but it is a reality. And of all the defenseman we have had only Smid has risen to the challenge and rarely been beaten consistently by opponents.

The only reason people think Gilbert is good is because of Smid and bad hockey sense.

The main reason Petry looks as good as he does is his pairing with Smid. 2 years ago statistically speaking this pairing was solid #1 #2 by their numbers when paired together.

Smid/Petry is what I would call a playoff level teams #3 and #4 defensive pairing. And the reason we havn't made the playoffs is because they have been played as a #1 and #2.

I even think Smids offense is greatly underestimated. As the stay at home portion of every pairing he has ever been on and zero powerplay time his production isn't terrible and his skills under utilized.

The third line is the most (frank)ed part of this roster. Jones Gordon and Hemsky all playing together?? That's a disaster. I could see Gordon and Jones together. But not playing with Hemsky. He just doesn't fit anywhere. He could've easily been traded with Lander or Smid or N Schultz or even Fedun and Pitlick for a proven third liner. But we'll never know how hard MacT tried to move him.

As far as Marincin and Larsen go, they aren't getting traded. They're going to OKC and will more than likely be NHL ready next season. I truly believe Smid and Schultz need to go. We have replacements for them.

Another thing to keep in mind is that Acton and Hamilton will probably see NHL time on the fourth line this season. I wouldn't be surprised if they are given permanent roles. Khaira might also be ready next season and that fills another spot.

EDM's SV% was 7th in the league. How is goaltending still relevant? I'd like Tim Thomas as much as the next guy, but not close to a pressing need.

Top pairing, cleaned up bottom 6. That's what's in the way of EDM's playoff contention
- TheNugeIsHuge

Exactly. I shake my head everytime I hear anyone rip on Dubnyk. It's rediculous.

Your Smid hate is one of the major reasons I questions your hockey sense Clouts.

Smid has carried the defense core on his back here for awhile and is still young. He was a 9th overall in his draft year. Immediately put in over his head and has significantly improved almost every single year he has played in the NHL.

By the numbers, his TOI and general effectiveness the last couple years he technically is our #1... I realize that shouldn't happen but it is a reality. And of all the defenseman we have had only Smid has risen to the challenge and rarely been beaten consistently by opponents.

The only reason people think Gilbert is good is because of Smid and bad hockey sense.

The main reason Petry looks as good as he does is his pairing with Smid. 2 years ago statistically speaking this pairing was solid #1 #2 by their numbers when paired together.

Smid/Petry is what I would call a playoff level teams #3 and #4 defensive pairing. And the reason we havn't made the playoffs is because they have been played as a #1 and #2.

I even think Smids offense is greatly underestimated. As the stay at home portion of every pairing he has ever been on and zero powerplay time his production isn't terrible and his skills under utilized.
- Aerchon

You're not getting it.

1st, I don't hate the guy. Saying he's perhaps not a long-term answer and saying I hate the guy are two completely separate things.

2nd, my point was, the Oilers need to play Smid in a 1/2 role because they don't have better options. On a team with good D, he'd be, at best, a 3/4 guy. In saying this, I'm not insulting him at all. I'm being realistic.

3rd, why do you think the guys has to block so many shots? Because he can't keep up. He's an absolute warrior, like a Jason Smith. Every team benefits from having a guy who will do anything, especially when it comes to sacrificing himself to make a play. But quit being so emotionally attached to the player and look at him objectively. His offense has never been there, he's not brilliant at moving the puck out of his zone, and blocks often indicate a defense's inability to skate. In a 5/6 role, at a reasonable contract amount, I'd love him. But as a 1/2? He's not that good. And the fact the Oilers need to use him that way indicates roster issues, not issues with Smid himself.

just checked. surprised to see how good Dubnyk's numbers were, especially behind that defence...
- DoubleDown

This is a point that many of us have been trying to get across for a long, long time.

The third line is the most (frank)ed part of this roster. Jones Gordon and Hemsky all playing together?? That's a disaster. I could see Gordon and Jones together. But not playing with Hemsky. He just doesn't fit anywhere. He could've easily been traded with Lander or Smid or N Schultz or even Fedun and Pitlick for a proven third liner. But we'll never know how hard MacT tried to move him.

As far as Marincin and Larsen go, they aren't getting traded. They're going to OKC and will more than likely be NHL ready next season. I truly believe Smid and Schultz need to go. We have replacements for them.

Another thing to keep in mind is that Acton and Hamilton will probably see NHL time on the fourth line this season. I wouldn't be surprised if they are given permanent roles. Khaira might also be ready next season and that fills another spot.
- mbxiphos1527

Khaira won't be ready for 2013/2014, but you never know for 2014/2015. I think he could be a solid 3rd line winger for the Oilers in a few seasons.

Exactly. I shake my head everytime I hear anyone rip on Dubnyk. It's rediculous.
- mbxiphos1527

Word up sundance.