I'm not picking on you but I love the comment about Larsson not producing much. He never got oppertunities to produce that was never his role they wanted to ease him in. They might of rushed him the first year but he was running with it till he got injured by subban and that started the revolving door because we where constantly fighting for playoffs no matter how unrealistic they were. This is a kid who to me once give a season or two of regular pp time will blossom. I thought that was the plan from him from the get go of last season. He saw some more oppertunities and ended up having one of his best seasons and I won't be shocked if giving the zone starts and pp time that the offense will be there. The thing everyone doesn't realize is that it didn't get these things because they he was already eating 22 even strength and pk minutes they didn't want to burn him out. This season I had no doubts that the league was going to know all about Larsson and now it will be for the oilers.
- blizzzard

I don't disagree with you. I just meant I'm fine with a top pairing guy who can really play D more then worrying about his offensive contributions. Even with adding Hall, etc. this team will only have a chance to win if they keep the puck out of the net. And despite what some folks say we can't hang it all on Schnieder to cover up for a weakened Defense. If Wiz is an offensive guy who doesn't play real quality D, I don't think he's the right guy for us. I'd think with how out of favor the stay at home defenseman have become we could find a good one at a reasonable price.... But I don't know who that is... Santini seems like the type of player but I'm not sure he's NHL ready and definitely not 1st pair ready.

I don't disagree with you. I just meant I'm fine with a top pairing guy who can really play D more then worrying about his offensive contributions. Even with adding Hall, etc. this team will only have a chance to win if they keep the puck out of the net. And despite what some folks say we can't hang it all on Schnieder to cover up for a weakened Defense. If Wiz is an offensive guy who doesn't play real quality D, I don't think he's the right guy for us. I'd think with how out of favor the stay at home defenseman have become we could find a good one at a reasonable price.... But I don't know who that is... Santini seems like the type of player but I'm not sure he's NHL ready and definitely not 1st pair ready.
- Queenie_5_hole

True enough. I don't mind replacing the minutes by committee but that committee needs to be a little stronger yet I think. Lots of off season to go though so who knows could see anything from nothing at all to something crazy lol

Got that right he is the same as Urbom. Neither are NHL defence man. It's like every year asking what sislo could do even though we see every year that he can't do anything and guys who are over 25 and lighting up the ahl are likely ahl lifers or there teams would of given them more chance or made room on their rosters for them. O'neil was the ahl mvp and he looked like he didn't belong anywhere near the NHL. How do you guys feel about moving a forward prospect to bring in another d one ?? Our d prospects are looking stale now that a few guys haven't panned the way we had hoped and the hopes aren't to high for rehill or guys who should still be 2-3 years away ike white and jacobs. I know we aren't exactly loaded with forwards but I think we could move Wood or Q and bring back a decent defence prospect that looks to be very promising.
- blizzzard

I wouldn't go as far as to say Helgeson is the same as Urbom, but I think you are right in saying his ceiling is AHL hockey, but maybe being the occasional few game call-up. He did ok when he was up last year but he doesn't do anything exceptionally well he is pretty middle to below average at everything. Little impact on the team overall unless they put him higher than a bottom pairing spot.

I wouldn't go as far as to say Helgeson is the same as Urbom, but I think you are right in saying his ceiling is AHL hockey, but maybe being the occasional few game call-up. He did ok when he was up last year but he doesn't do anything exceptionally well he is pretty middle to below average at everything. Little impact on the team overall unless they put him higher than a bottom pairing spot.
- TRDevil

There are enough d men out there that we can maybe get another. Still waiting on what number Hall is going to wear !

There are enough d men out there that we can maybe get another. Still waiting on what number Hall is going to wear !
- blizzzard

I'm guessing #44. A wonderful number had Gelinas not tarnished it...

As for Helgeson, I really like the kid (and love old school defense) but I think the best he could hit is as a #7 D-man. If they stopped running him out there with complete trash partners he would have looked better. When he played with guys like Warsofsky who he has to help out he got exposed.

I keep seeing people commenting that our offense won't be much better just because we have Hall in the lineup.

I think our offense will be a lot better. Not just because of Hall, but because we are not bringing back dead meat Gio, Tootoo, Ruutu, Tlusty who performed very poorly last year - and we are bringing in Hall, and quite possibly Zacha, if not right away probably before the end of the year. We also regularly had Kennedy and Farnham in the lineup, who even if we bring back wont be (I hope) regularly in the lineup. We can't have kids being healthy scratches so you need a few guys like them around unless there are better options, which I am sure there are. Either way this represents 4 slots that are being filled with new/better players.

That is essentially 33.33% of our team being replaced from last year, and half of that change (16.66% overall) that is being cut out is being replaced with high end talent. Even if the other half (the other 16.66% of players being replaced this year) are replaced by average players (Fiddler) rather than below average players (the aforementioned 4) we will be in a much better position in my opinion.

The standing 33% - Cam, Henrique, Palmieri, Zajac are true 2nd line / borderline 1st line NHL players.

The balance 33% after that are the likes of Boucher, Blandisi, DSP, Kalinin who are decent NHL middle 6/bottom 6 players. I think Elias would fit here if he comes back as well, more middle 6 but you get the point.

Looking at how the total net effect of this years changes will improve the overall average quality of the line up, I think we will be more than one step forward in our ability to score goals. I am not expecting lightning in a bottle but am more optimistic than many seem to be.

There are enough d men out there that we can maybe get another. Still waiting on what number Hall is going to wear !
- blizzzard

I like #5 and #94. I don't know why but I think 94 would be kind of cool.

Tootoo gone. JJ back. Gazdic(?) signed

Tootoo gone. JJ back. Gazdic(?) signed
- willschulme

Glad toots got a job somewhere. No brained on the JJ, Gazdic I heard is good friends with hall

The performance competition was wonderful. Brother DCP-L3550 Toner compatible TN-247

The performance competition was wonderful. Brother DCP-L3550 Toner compatible TN-247
- Lily Rose

Totally dude