Around the League Part XIII: The season's here, and so still is this thread!

[IranCondraAffair]

1. The Oilers Fans aren't all delusional. They actually have an interesting thread on their page right now about "What happens if one of the young guns demands a trade". I'm hoping it starts to sink in because I made a similar point to a co-worker Oilers fan at the middle of last season. You can't just keep re-signing top draft picks and eventually accumulate enough to be successful.

Highly competitive guys will want out, some draft picks will bust, some will get injured or develop chronic conditions. You can't build a team by drafting the top center every year. You need a goalie. You need good defensemen, you need to trade valuable players to get valuable ones in return. You need to take some risks.

2. Alfredsson was always a borderline HoF candidate. He didn't significantly hurt his chances by leaving Ottawa but he certainly didn't improve them either. I actually think he had a better shot if he had just retired.

 

[Do Make Say Think]

If one of the young guns wants out they will likely be forced to trade him and they will get a very, very nice return

 

[IranCondraAffair]

If one of the young guns wants out they will likely be forced to trade him and they will get a very, very nice return

You're right, it might even help the team longterm.

What would be even better is if they didn't wait for the trade demand.

 

[HavlatMach9]

yakupov is like a mini Ovechkin

 

[Pierre from Orleans]

Oilers are so bad.

 

[Knave]

They just bleed goals...

30th last year, they're last right now (but to be fair to them, it's early).

As for their young players - personally if I was a GM, I'd be a bit wary of trading for one of them. Almost all of them were rushed into the NHL and the Oilers style slightly inflates the point totals of many of their players (IMO).

 

[NyQuil]

You're right, it might even help the team longterm.

What would be even better is if they didn't wait for the trade demand.

That is the part I don't get.

Their value is extremely high given the draft pedigree.

You can't wait around forever.

 

[ChocolateLeclaire]

Oilers are so bad.

They are very bad. In fact, is say they are the worst team in the league easily.

 

[bacon25]

If one of the young guns wants out they will likely be forced to trade him and they will get a very, very nice return

Edmonton wants way too much for their young guns, if they do part with any it would be Eberle or Yapukov. Hall has the most value by far while I think that Nuge and Yapukov have a lot of risk tied to them IMO. I think the way the market is right now for D and goalies also prevents Edmonton from making any substantial moves.

 

[IranCondraAffair]

That is the part I don't get.

Their value is extremely high given the draft pedigree.

You can't wait around forever.

Exactly, look at that Perron trade, it made the team substantially better. I was a big advocate for building a trade around Yak for Seguin when he was available as well. Similar talent levels, just farther along in development and might require an additional asset.

They could have done the same with Gagner when they started drafting their 8426348726th forward, but instead they just kept re-signing him and ended up giving him away for nothing.

They also have ZERO commitment to building a goalie pipeline.

 

[Nac Mac Feegle]

They just bleed goals...

30th last year, they're last right now (but to be fair to them, it's early).

As for their young players - personally if I was a GM, I'd be a bit wary of trading for one of them. Almost all of them were rushed into the NHL and the Oilers style slightly inflates the point totals of many of their players (IMO).

Exactly!

These kids were given free reign from day 1, and none of them know how to do anything in their own zone. Plus, the older guys have already been given massive contracts for playing half the ice. It would be next to impossible to de-program those kids to play a complete game where they could have a decent chance of winning games.

All of those kids are a massive risk in a trade.

What they need to do, is dump Lowe, Mactavish and Eakins, and bring in a good management team. Bring in a strong, no-nonsense coach who's primary strength is teaching the game. Keep the kids who want to learn and play a complete game, and trade the kids who rebel and get some assets on the back end.

 

[Do Make Say Think]

I think they just need to trade Yakupov and Eberle to get some good young D that have been developed properly by other teams and a strong goaltender

It's doable. At this point in time I think Oilers fans just want to see progress and would be glad to see a shake up that starts them towards it while I get the feeling that management is afraid of looking like it will be giving up if they trade away those players

 

[Nac Mac Feegle]

Edmonton could bring in Crosby, Suter, Karlsson, Lundqvist, Doughty, Kane and Stamkos and it still wouldn't be a playoff team with the boneheads in management and behind the bench.

Changing the management team and culture in that organization is needed before any player changes.

 

[FolignoQuantumLeap]

Edmonton could bring in Crosby, Suter, Karlsson, Lundqvist, Doughty, Kane and Stamkos and it still wouldn't be a playoff team with the boneheads in management and behind the bench.

Changing the management team and culture in that organization is needed before any player changes.

Yep. Kevin Lowe is cancer in human form. He needs to be removed... 4 years ago.

 

[Benjamin]

Avoid all Oiler players.

 

[Super Cake]

Go Bruins Go

 

[Caeldan]

Wow, Islanders badly outshooting Sharks 21-6, but the score is 2-1 SJS...

 

[Benjamin]

Yeah... if the NHL would ban goons, that'd be great.

 

[Caeldan]

Yeah... if the NHL would ban goons, that'd be great.

That was squeaky clean!

 

[Benjamin]

That was squeaky clean!

but Scott is only on the ice to cause concussions.

 

[Caeldan]

but Scott is only on the ice to cause concussions.

He sniped one last game

Tavares is scary good sometimes... 4on4 OT, Isles got penned up for probably 3 minutes. Finally gets the puck and skates it down, no speed but holds on to the puck past the blue line - makes a quick inside out move at the top of the circles and almost beats Stalock high glove.

45-23 shots for NYI tonight. Off to a shootout.

 

[L'Aveuglette]

Boy is Boston struggling to start the year. Montreal on the other hand is doing pretty good. Too bad.

 

[Caeldan]

And Lucic just got himself tossed out of the game with seconds remaining after MTL gets an EN PP goal.

Boy is Boston struggling to start the year. Montreal on the other hand is doing pretty good. Too bad.

I wouldn't say they're doing good... Price has a >3.00 GAA

 

[Do Make Say Think]

The Ruins just do not know how to handle the Scabs

It's pretty pathetic, they just fold to them like lawn chairs

 

[L'Aveuglette]

And Lucic just got himself tossed out of the game with seconds remaining after MTL gets an EN PP goal.



I wouldn't say they're doing good... Price has a >3.00 GAA

4-1 to begin the year is good, especially when Price hasn't been at the top of his game. You know he's going to get better.