Post-Game Talk: A successful season?

[TypeSly]

Smith, Keith and especially Nurse were catastrophic this series.

McDavid was on a mission, If he was on any other 15 teams that made the playoffs he would've take any of them to the final.

It breaks my heart to see a talent like that being wasted.

Whatever, troll. Gee, you're just so original because we've never heard that one before . Gtfoh idiot.

 

[Alexandre Achutti]

Hello guys.
Any defeat is always frustrating at first, but if we look at the whole season calmly, we'll see that it was positive.
The Oilers grew as a team despite glaring flaws, but the victories that came help create a winning mentality.
That's why advancing to the conference finals was important.
If this offseason there are some adjustments, the team can come stronger to 22/23.
I don't need to go into details because you know what those adjustments are.

I have faith.

 

[Nunymare]

Its not even requiring conspiracy. It just makes sense. The NHL knows its bread is already always buttered in Canada. Just throw us a mini bone once in awhile. All the attendance and viewing will still be there. The NHL constantly tries to increase market exposure and share in the US, and helping US clubs win does that. Since first expansion the goal was to grow the game in the States. Canada does not matter to the NHL. Its no illusion. Its a fact of life..

Coming up on 30 years now since the Habs won in 1993... coincidentally, that is also the same year that Bettman took over as commissioner.

 

[OfCorsiDid]

None of us are doctors but human engineering is so much like vehicle construction where any one part can impact the handling of the vehicle as a whole. I'm not a mechanic either, what is that called. heh. Unibody?

I have a back condition for instance where I have to do constant rehab. Daily. If I don't the pain starts. I'll be walking on a sidewalk and right out of surprise one foor will move forward and won't go straight. I'll kind of mini stumble. Right out of the blue. People would think I'm drunk. Only happens once in awhile but a reminder that all our physiology and movement is connected through core, and lower back and hips are crucial engineering within that. throw a monkey wrench at that and it throws everything off kilter. layman view.

Yeah there's a lot to be said about injuries like that.

I could not imagine playing two playoff rounds with a torn hip flexor. Hell I can't imagine moving around my house with that. So credit to Nurse for fighting through that. Some of the mistakes were still inexcusable and the contract is still bad, but you can't help admire someone for battling through that.

Speaking of battling, I'm looking forward to the absolute laundry list that's going to be Leon's injuries. That man was an absolute tank and was the 2nd best player on the team the whole playoffs. I pray that it's all recoverable and doesn't require too invasive surgery if required at all.

 

[Black Gold Extractor]

Classy stuff here:

Yeah, it's surprising (to put it nicely) how happy "Canadian" media are that Edmonton got knocked out quickly...

 

[WaitingForUser]

Whatever, troll. Gee, you're just so original with that. Gtfoh idiot.

Preach it man wasted talent give me a break guys just went to the WCF he didn’t get swept in the first round or bitch slapped by the flames.

 

[Captain Fantastic]

Please delete these MFKRs app off your phone.. Classless ..

 

[rboomercat90]

I thought Woodcroft was great overall but I think Woodcroft had a pretty bad round 3. Lots of head scratching decisions. But I do bet that him going back to Smith, probably has something to do with Holland as well.

Yeah, I can’t help but think this was an organizational decision to ride or die with Smith. We’ve seen enough from Woodcroft since February to know he’s not an idiot.

 

[fireantz]

Priorities for Oilers:
Sign Woodcroft and Manson this week.
Find out if resigning Kane is possible( my guess is no)
Sign Kulak, McLeod, Yamo and Puljujarvi
Get rid of Kassian(Lucic is nearing the end and Calgary needs a new boat anchor)
Trade Barrie and the first for a goaltender +

 

[gordonhught]

The major difference though is Tampa had elite forwards, an elite defender and an elite goalie. We only have the elite forwards part. They had to add minor guys in their middle 6 and defence. Our lessons to learn require much more to fix.

Also got kucherov and point outside the first round. When have the Oilers last had a second rounder have that type of impact?

 

[Keggatron]

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.

Yeah I found myself bitching about the crowd a lot in the past few games. Taking a step back now, there really wasn't much the team gave them to really be the edge we know the fans can be. When they made big plays the crowd was raucous, but the Avs did a good job of taking them out of it for most the two games they played here.

McLeod is one player who took a huge step this year... and even looked just as good in the playoffs. Good future for him.

I love the way he plays the game. That speed, the handling and his smarts are so fun to watch. I just expected him to come along with the points a bit more than he has and it's making me a bit nervous. He has the talent to be a really good second option for us. Will he achieve that, I'm not sure. Hope so, hopefully he finds that next season, because it could be a huge boon for us.

You're going on recency effect. Pulju had double hip surgery afairc. He was one of the teams best players in first 30 games. I would say the drop off has something to do with it being hard to play 82 games, then playoffs. I think its injury or recurring related. This is a good player, and physically he's a beast.

This board really turns on players, I mean we all do, but lets try not to be like the org itself has been with discarding players. Good on Holland and Tippett to get Pulju back in the fold and have him playing here, and playing well. Thats credit to them. Something has gone on since. We don't know all the details.

You are right about the board turning on players, and I'm usually a pretty long rope type of guy. It's hard not to cheer for him when he's playing how we've seen him play in the past. But he's just so unpredictable and is really susceptible to confidence that it's hard to see him becoming what we're holding on to him to become.

I'm not sold on him as anything more than a bottom 6 guy. He is a great skater with decent hockey IQ but his hands and overall skill lack behind his physical traits.

Yeah, like I said earlier, absolutely gush about how he plays the game. Just really hoping some sort of production can start trickling out here.

The official stopped the puck from going out, this resulted in the continued Ozone and the goal being scored. Not blowing the play dead compounded it. This is not a matter of contention. Without the officials getting an assist on the play there is no goal scored. None.

Yeah I think Smith was pretty frustrated with the ref getting in the way of that. But hey it happens. I can't remember which game exactly, but it was down the stretch and we scored a big goal off an even worse interference from the refs. I hate the refs as much as anyone, and especially in the third round, it's part of a refs job to predict where the play is going and make sure to get out of the way, but that kind of shit happens. In the end though he really should have made the smart decision and let Nurse take that puck and doesn't really have anyone to blame but himself.

Yeah, probably. Early season was a long time ago though. I guess we'll have to wait and see what those details are. I find him likable and want him to succeed. I really do. Just been frustrating to watch for a while now.

Frustrating is an understatement. I imagine the players on the team feel the same way.

A few years ago, the loaded Tampa club waltzed through the regular season with one of the best regular seasons ever, only to get swept in the first round. They learned from that, they added playoff performers wherever necessary and they adjusted their team strategy so that they had the versatility for the playoffs. They haven't lost a series since.

This will be a successful season depending on what the Oilers learn from this.

As someone else pointed out earlier, the Tampa club had all the pieces in place and it was a failure of epic proportions. Our loss feels more akin to the Jets loss in the WCF in 2018, than to that one.

Another good take @Drivesaitl

Pulju definitely looked like 1st term Pulju. But also super timid. He backed off due to injury but he was also lacking fire and resolve.

Meanwhile, you gotta pry the pancake of Yama off the ice before he gives in. I know which one I take

This is all I'm saying. Yamo gives it his all and his teammates notice this and want to play with him. Pulju you have no idea what you're getting shift to shift.

 

[gordonhught]

It wasn't meant to be an insult. I think he's slow and he doesn't focus on the ice. I stand behind it and I honestly do not mean to offend anyone.

You might offend his girlfriend. Or his parents.

Not me. I would trade him for picks right now.

 

[RipsADrive]

Yeah, I can’t help but think this was an organizational decision to ride or die with Smith. We’ve seen enough from Woodcroft since February to know he’s not an idiot.

Wonder if there was some resentment for Koskinen signing his ticket out of Edmonton in the middle of a playoff run. (Just random speculation on my part)

He was the better of the two goalies this series but I guess they wanted to stick with the guy who will likely be here next year.

 

[OfCorsiDid]

Classy stuff here:

Could you imagine if they posted something along these lines for the Leafs when they lost in 7?

The Rogers Building on Bloor would've been set ablaze.

Amazing how ballsy these networks get when the market they're insulting is 2000+ km away.

 

[Shaquille Oatmeal]

You might offend his girlfriend. Or his parents.

Not me. I would trade him for picks right now.

Wow, yeah. I honestly think he might have undiagnosed ADHD. That was a trigger, apparently.

 

[Dashh]

How did we manage to lose four games in a row. Kind of sad tbh, you’d think they coulda gutter one out.

Too many back breakers from smith. Can’t win without a sick goalie. Should always be the first priority.

 

[Oilhawks]

Classy stuff here:

These Twitter losers are probably a bunch of Leafs fans that got wedgies in school. Douchebaggery

 

[WaitingForUser]

Wonder if there was some resentment for Koskinen signing his ticket out of Edmonton in the middle of a playoff run. (Just random speculation on my part)

He was the better of the two goalies this series but I guess they wanted to stick with the guy who will likely be here next year.

Guarantee that’s what it was. Who signs announces a contract in the middle of a playoff run? If he doesn’t announce that deal he probably starts a couple games this series IMO

 

[FlameChampion]

Wonder if there was some resentment for Koskinen signing his ticket out of Edmonton in the middle of a playoff run. (Just random speculation on my part)

He was the better of the two goalies this series but I guess they wanted to stick with the guy who will likely be here next year.

Honestly kind of shitty on Koskinens part if true. Not sure why he’s giving up on NHL either. I think he could be a decent backup on a team with no pressure on them.

 

[OfCorsiDid]

You might offend his girlfriend. Or his parents.

Not me. I would trade him for picks right now.

Or anyone with a mental illness.

Man can we see an ounce of f***ing compassion on this board?

 

[Oilhawks]

Smith, Keith and especially Nurse were catastrophic this series.

McDavid was on a mission, If he was on any other 15 teams that made the playoffs he would've take any of them to the final.

It breaks my heart to see a talent like that being wasted.

What an awful take lmao

Honestly kind of shitty on Koskinens part if true. Not sure why he’s giving up on NHL either. I think he could be a decent backup on a team with no pressure on them.

I think part of it might be he’ll likely make around the same in the Swiss league and gets to be closer to home.

 

[CycloneSweep]

Or anyone with a mental illness.

Man can we see an ounce of f***ing compassion on this board?

Yeah…saying a guy is playing stupid or has a how hockey iq is one thing, but that was a bit to far.

 

[gordonhught]

Wow, yeah. I honestly think he might have undiagnosed ADHD. That was a trigger, apparently.

That’s society. Someone is always offended.

Thick skin went out of style about 20 years ago.

Edit - when I was growing up in the 70s and 80s, we said horrible things to each other. No one was really offended. Instead, you gave it back.

 

[Drivesaitl]

Yeah I found myself bitching about the crowd a lot in the past few games. Taking a step back now, there really wasn't much the team gave them to really be the edge we know the fans can be. When they made big plays the crowd was raucous, but the Avs did a good job of taking them out of it for most the two games they played here.



I love the way he plays the game. That speed, the handling and his smarts are so fun to watch. I just expected him to come along with the points a bit more than he has and it's making me a bit nervous. He has the talent to be a really good second option for us. Will he achieve that, I'm not sure. Hope so, hopefully he finds that next season, because it could be a huge boon for us.



You are right about the board turning on players, and I'm usually a pretty long rope type of guy. It's hard not to cheer for him when he's playing how we've seen him play in the past. But he's just so unpredictable and is really susceptible to confidence that it's hard to see him becoming what we're holding on to him to become.



Yeah, like I said earlier, absolutely gush about how he plays the game. Just really hoping some sort of production can start trickling out here.



Yeah I think Smith was pretty frustrated with the ref getting in the way of that. But hey it happens. I can't remember which game exactly, but it was down the stretch and we scored a big goal off an even worse interference from the refs. I hate the refs as much as anyone, and especially in the third round, it's part of a refs job to predict where the play is going and make sure to get out of the way, but that kind of shit happens. In the end though he really should have made the smart decision and let Nurse take that puck and doesn't really have anyone to blame but himself.



Frustrating is an understatement. I imagine the players on the team feel the same way.



As someone else pointed out earlier, the Tampa club had all the pieces in place and it was a failure of epic proportions. Our loss feels more akin to the Jets loss in the WCF in 2018, than to that one.



This is all I'm saying. Yamo gives it his all and his teammates notice this and want to play with him. Pulju you have no idea what you're getting shift to shift.

Just responding to the last part. Its a problem on the team to play favorites. Everybody is a team mate, and it has gone on. This is a club that gets on its own players sometimes. All of Pulju, Smith, Koski, Bouchard have been in that spotlight, have seen the glares, some tongue lashings. Its a troubling aspect that its taken guys from outside the org like Keith, Kane, Hyman to be remedying this and remembering to not be hard on their brothers.

BOTH these players have lacked scoring confidence at times. They're not different in that regard. I find it troubling in present day that we get to such evaluation that one player is smiling a lot and one isn't. People are different and respond to bad luck or play differently. But Pulju this season, on the whole, has been a better player, and harder to play against. but I feel the team under Woody is moving well away from Pulju again. Woody of course would have more allegiance for Yama, he's coached him a lot. he hasn't had Pulju a lot and Pulju has REALLY had minutes severely curtailed since the coaching change. from the coach that is always saying that you have to play players to build their confidence to play. Except that seems to be just words. I dunno. Maybe we find out Pulju is reinjured. Its possible.

Gonna say as well that some shifts Yama is blasted out of a cannon. particularly if he's being sat or dropped a line. But there are lots of shifts where you don't see Yama either.

If I'm the Oilers I get comprehensive evaluation on Pulju bill of health and prospects before deciding what to do. Pulju has good 200ft instincts and attributes. When he's healthy and able to play pain free. Not sure whats going on.

 

[OfCorsiDid]

Yeah…saying a guy is playing stupid or has a how hockey iq is one thing, but that was a bit to far.

No kidding.