Post-Game Talk: A successful season?

[gordonhught]

4 months of Oilers rumors, trades, Woodcroft & manson signing, Free Agency & Draft makes up for it. Well for me it does.

Draft coming up. Take the best Overall RHd you can draft.

 

[TheNumber4]

Time to catch up on chores around the house.

My productivity will be thanking me. That I know.

 

[redgrant]

A veteran goalie at $2M is not untradeable, he just wouldn't be a starter for anyone unless they had injuries. Teams like Pittsburgh/Nashville (this year) would trade for someone like Smith as insurance for the playoffs since they had goalie injury issues leading into the post season. They literally started AHL goalies during the post-season.

I think we move him and don't even keep him as a backup. He had a full blown melt down and I suspect a lot of the players arnt fans of him. Get the feeling he's leading to a toxic work environment.

 

[Tobias Kahun]

My productivity will be thanking me. That I know.

My productivity and liver will be thanking me.

 

[Wreckus]

I think his contract negotiation is going to be hard. With how much the Finnish media and the analytic people hype him up contrary to reality, he is going to want big money.

He's going to get a big reality check at negotiation time. Due to the cap, I think he's going to be sorely disappointed what the Oilers offer.

 

[fireantz]

Anyone who thought on Jan 1st that this group would make the conference final is a liar. This playoff run gives valuable experience to Yamo, Pulj, Bouchard and McLeod Expect better seasons from them all next year.

 

[Tobias Kahun]

Draft coming up. Take the best Overall RHd you can draft.

Yeah, and then people will cry that we took a Dman rather than a player they had ranked higher, just like Broberg.

 

[redgrant]

He's going to get a big reality check at negotiation time. Due to the cap, I think he's going to be sorely disappointed what the Oilers offer.

I suspect Oilers management is hoping he gets offer sheeted. Either we like the terms and sign him or take the picks.

 

[Drivesaitl]

I can't agree with this take. We've seen Yamo have good runs in his tenure here as well, with far less turbulence. The difference is he gives you far more consistency when not scoring compared with Jesse. Jesse literally breaks up offensive plays because he doesn't know where to be. Million dollar package with a ten cent head.

Also I believe Drai was asked earlier on in this run about Yamo being a popular linemate and players wanting to play with him. I think it's the complete opposite when it comes to Jesse. You can see the body language in the players on the ice with him. Constantly looking off passes to him because they're afraid it's going back the other way on an odd man. And like even today, what in the f*** was that turnover that should have been a goal when it was 1-0. He shot it right at the guys chest? Not exactly confidence inspiring. I've never really been against the player as I've seen what he can do when he has confidence. But when confidence is lacking, the guy's a complete liability. Yamo, even when not contributing on the scoresheet hounds the puck and forces turnovers, while Jesse does this as well, he's not nearly as consistent as Kailer. If you can get anything for him I'd say move him, unless you have a bead on his training this summer and are confident he's coming back ready to play.

Its not a matter of opinion that Yama was on ice for twice as many GA this season and playoffs than Pulju was. While sporting similar production and seeing somewhat similar Quality of Competition. Yams used to be reliable defensively. NHL correction has occurred and teams are keying on him more, erasing him more, like they should. The GA is no illusion. Theres a lot of Yama on his butt turnovers.

 

[TheNumber4]

I get it, I’m not pushing that narrative, I don’t think these guys want out, but 5 years is past both of their contracts, and so one has to consider the potential that one or either of them are fine. But I wasn’t really trying to get into that, just that we cant be looking to the draft to solve what ails this current team in defence. It’s either in the system today, or will need to be acquired is how I see it. Doesn’t mean drafting isn’t important, they still need to focus on that.

We need an upgrade on Defensive D I agree. But to truly get into Cup contention with the likes of Hedman, Makar, and Fox out there…. That unfortunately may only come from a lucky draft pick.

 

[McTonyBrar]

Signing Woodcroft, Yamamoto, Kulak, Jesse and Kane AND gaining a goalie should be our #1 priority

 

[Wreckus]

Draft coming up. Take the best Overall RHd you can draft.

I'd look at a goalie or adding that pick to a trade to get a goalie to go w/ Skinner.

 

[Oilhawks]

I think his contract negotiation is going to be hard. With how much the Finnish media and the analytic people hype him up contrary to reality, he is going to want big money.

He should bring some press reports and spreadsheets to the negotiations, I’m sure that will help

 

[Drivesaitl]

Puljujarvi's problem isnt his body, its his brain

be better. you're giving reason to Seph to like your posts. pffft

 

[bucks_oil]

He was incensed that the official stopped the puck from going out of zone and then doesn't get the freeze call on the goal against. I mean the officials CAUSED the puck turnover on the Smith clear. Least they could have done is blow the play down, or at least blow a whistle when the puck was tied up. Its enough to drive anybody. Smith knows how the officiating BS went down in this series and remember Smith has been run the last two series as well and seen a lot of hacks and hits on him that weren't called.

Billy Smith would have carved one of the officials after the game. Really wouldn't blame him either.

I dunno…

I think he was mad at himself and rightfully so. He tried to find a reason (competitiveness) but ultimately by the time that stick smashed he knew.

That was a good goal all the way btw. Even from the brotherhood.

 

[CycloneSweep]

Signing Woodcroft, Yamamoto, Kulak, Jesse and Kane AND gaining a goalie should be our #1 priority

Literally don’t have the cap to do all that. One of Yamamoto, Pulju or Kane will be gone.

 

[Kaptah2]

I think his contract negotiation is going to be hard. With how much the Finnish media and the analytic people hype him up contrary to reality, he is going to want big money.

Pulju will get traded and sign a 1,5 to 2M one year show me kind of a deal. Maybe in Carolina. If he didn't have a nagging injury, he probably has serious confidence issues, which is not a good thing.

 

[Shaquille Oatmeal]

He was incensed that the official stopped the puck from going out of zone and then doesn't get the freeze call on the goal against. I mean the officials CAUSED the puck turnover on the Smith clear. Least they could have done is blow the play down, or at least blow a whistle when the puck was tied up. Its enough to drive anybody. Smith knows how the officiating BS went down in this series and remember Smith has been run the last two series as well and seen a lot of hacks and hits on him that weren't called.

Billy Smith would have carved one of the officials after the game. Really wouldn't blame him either.

I don't always agree with what you say but sometimes you hit one out of the park. This is a great depiction of what Smith was griping about on that play.

 

[Captain Fantastic]

STrange post. Yama GA has been horrible all season and playoffs. Somehow we have him on pk. At least with pulju there is the thought of an upside. I think something is wrong with his body still, could be impacting mechanics still. eVerything from skating to shot. He's not comfortable. but the same player had 10G and 23pts in first 29GP this season. You DON'T give up on a player like that. That the Oilres do is the reason we have limited useful depth.

I see that Yams was a -2 for the regular season and PJ was +22 but he looks so awkward out there. He's fluffed on so many grade A chances that he became frustrating to watch this season. I was high on PJ for his ability to break cycles and win puck battles. That seems to have gone. If he can somehow rebuild his confidence and his progression, I'm all for keeping him. He might have been dealing with something in the later half of the season but who really knows. I still believe Yams has a higher offensive upside and hockey IQ though.

 

[Mr McV]

I think all of them will stay. We just went to the conference finals. Holland will stay Pat.

Nooooooooooo

 

[Drivesaitl]

Just adds to the narrative he's probably a jerk behind closed door and why the Flames were happy to see him go. If that's how he behaves publically what's he like in private?

Some of the best sporting athletes of all time are jerks. Your post could make you sound like a jerk, just saying. You hate the player, we get it.

 

[Tarus]

Hmm can’t see it like that. McDavid or no McDavid line there was nights he was flying and in perfect positioning all game long.

Definitely can't say that about his second half play.

Calling him a non-factor would be generous, and the coach had him down to a sub-10 minute a night player before the playoffs even started.

 

[Wreckus]

Literally don’t have the cap to do all that. One of Yamamoto, Pulju or Kane will be gone.

Probably right. Wouldn't be surprised if the core (McDavid, etc) would prefer to keep Kane and let Pulju go.

 

[gordonhught]

Anyone who thought on Jan 1st that this group would make the conference final is a liar. This playoff run gives valuable experience to Yamo, Pulj, Bouchard and McLeod Expect better seasons from them all next year.

Bouchard and McLeod really improved this season. Really nice to see for Bouchard specially.

 

[tjd9]

Long time lurker of the forum posting for the first time in forever.

Season was a great success. Went from a potential lottery team at the mid way mark of the season to the wcf.

Now i see alot of people in here complaining on Smith and the defence and yes i agree these things need to be cleaned up. But tonight the loss i place solely on the fans at the arena. We have great passionate, knowledgeable fans which is why i don't get how they don't know wave ediquette! They cursed our team! The wave should be reserved for blowout type games. Not a 2 goal game with 12 minutes left. As soon as i seen the crowd doing the wave i knew we were going to lose.

This season has been fun and a learning experience for the players and the fans(hopefully) no more damned waves until we are all but guaranteed the win.