Do the Oilers miss the playoffs again...

[Slicknitty]

This thread would have been better if it was posted in early to mid-November. By then you'll know for sure if they already eliminated themselves or if by some miracle they're actually being competitive. All this prognostication is useless.

 

[blue_n_copper]

When I read the Oilers forums they seem to believe that Ty Rattie is going to solve their winger problems...and his hype is being generated through pre-season games and the local media.

Is that what they seem to believe? It certainly isn't what they post. McLellan said today that Rattie is having a fantastic camp but hasn't faced any strong competition yet like he will tomorrow and we will see. He is right and I think that is much closer to the consensus on the Oilers forums than what you wrote.

 

[SEALBound]

McDavid is good enough to carry that entire team to a #8 slot.

That said, they get annihilated in the playoffs.

Do I think this is likely? No. But it's possible.

Unless Chia gets the boot and they start bring in some more impactful guys that fit a system that fits the strengths of their makeup...spinning wheels.

 

[BillNy]

I don't have them in, but they're not far enough out that shit couldn't happen.

 

[rent free]

McDavid is good enough to carry that entire team to a #8 slot.

That said, they get annihilated in the playoffs.

Do I think this is likely? No. But it's possible.

Unless Chia gets the boot and they start bring in some more impactful guys that fit a system that fits the strengths of their makeup...spinning wheels.

Mcdavid isn't even good enough to do that.

 

[Shaquille Oatmeal]

The Oilers will never miss the playoffs again. Ever.

 

[Throw More Waffles]

It's very very rare for a team to have the best player in the world and still miss the playoffs. I don't see it happening two seasons in a row.

 

[Sam Spade]

Lol, I'm talking about right now obviously.

I'd take Marleau over RNH today. At least you can count on 82 games from Marleau.

 

[blue_n_copper]

[mod]

As for the question, the Oilers can make the playoffs if Talbot has a good year and stays healthy. If he doesn't then probably not. Last year proved that Talbot is more important to the Oilers success than McDavid is in my opinion.

 

[snag]

I'd take Marleau over RNH today. At least you can count on 82 games from Marleau.

Until he breaks a hip

Though I agree....the guy has been tremendously durable.

 

[Tad Mikowsky]

OP is a known Oilers hater that does nothing but fly by posts of “Oilers fans said this”, but offers no proof other than “he heard it”.

So what’s the point of this thread? An ego boost If the Oilers do bad.

 

[Coffey]

OP is a known Oilers hater that does nothing but fly by posts of “Oilers fans said this”, but offers no proof other than “he heard it”.

So what’s the point of this thread? An ego boost If the Oilers do bad.

He's a Flyers fan from Edmonton. He talks to all the fans, Tad!

 

[Tad Mikowsky]

He's a Flyers fan from Edmonton. He talks to all the fans, Tad!

f*** me, you’re right.

 

[cobra427]

It's very very rare for a team to have the best player in the world and still miss the playoffs. I don't see it happening two seasons in a row.

Vegas had the worst odds to get to the finals of any team last year and they still did it. D and goal tending can carry you, high scoring forwards not so much. With the Oilers its not about McAll world, its about Talbot being top 10, but their D is pretty awful still. I think they can make it but its on Talbot.

 

[Oilerfan1000]

Agree. Goaltending or lack of, is the biggest single reason for success or failure. The Edmonton/Winnipeg teams of the last two years, are prime examples of what goal tending can do for a team. Same basic teams, but with two entirely different results stemming from the goaltending performances. When the goaltender is hot, it builds confidence in eveyones game,and when they are not it takes the wind out of the sales of the whole team.

 

[winnipegger]

Agree. Goaltending or lack of, is the biggest single reason for success or failure. The Edmonton/Winnipeg teams of the last two years, are prime examples of what goal tending can do for a team. Same basic teams, but with two entirely different results stemming from the goaltending performances. When the goaltender is hot, it builds confidence in eveyones game,and when they are not it takes the wind out of the sales of the whole team.

Oilers had more problems than that. Having the worst PP while having the best playmaker is just absurd. Replacing Hall with Lucic and Larsson was idiotic. They need scoring wingers like crazy now. I think the Oil can turn it around this year but last year's failure is all on the GM.

 

[Oilerfan1000]

Oilers had more problems than that. Having the worst PP while having the best playmaker is just absurd. Replacing Hall with Lucic and Larsson was idiotic. They need scoring wingers like crazy now. I think the Oil can turn it around this year but last year's failure is all on the GM.

Agree, but the play on the ice is hardly the GM’s fault. Blame the PP on coaching.. if the oilers have success this year with the same players, how can this be a GM Problem?

This is the tell tale year for this GM.

Hall was done in Edmonton. Getting rid of him was what was required for Hall and the Oilers. Larsson is a very good defenceman, and I liked the trade. It looked good the first year didn’t it with the oilers in the playoffs for the first time in 10 years,and NJ out.

 

[NeverForget06]

Things that would have to go right:
- Special teams: we were so horrible in both PP and PK last year that even a return to league average would make a significant difference in our spot in the standings
- Goaltending: 2016-17 Talbot needs to return
- Healthy D-core: Can't afford injuries to Klefbom, Larsson or Nurse
- Wingers: Need some wingers to step up and contribute. I expect big seasons from JP and RNH

If all these things can happen, I think we have a shot. We're definitely a bubble team.

 

[TheBigThree]

Sorry won't happen

 

[MessierII]

Vegas had the worst odds to get to the finals of any team last year and they still did it. D and goal tending can carry you, high scoring forwards not so much. With the Oilers its not about McAll world, its about Talbot being top 10, but their D is pretty awful still. I think they can make it but its on Talbot.

I actually agree with this 100%. The oilers season will come down to goaltending.

 

[MessierII]

Oilers had more problems than that. Having the worst PP while having the best playmaker is just absurd. Replacing Hall with Lucic and Larsson was idiotic. They need scoring wingers like crazy now. I think the Oil can turn it around this year but last year's failure is all on the GM.

They scored 2 less goals than 2016-17 at even strength. Worst PP in the league was the problem. Not the wingers.

 

[Varcus]

They scored 2 less goals than 2016-17 at even strength. Worst PP in the league was the problem. Not the wingers.

So then you don't use wingers on the pp?

 

[bambamcam4ever]

They scored 2 less goals than 2016-17 at even strength. Worst PP in the league was the problem. Not the wingers.

Leaguewide ES scoring was also up significantly, so it likely was a problem.

 

[sabremike]

If you think about it the only person in all of hockey who could manage to neutralize McDavid is Chiarelli. But McDavid is so great I think he overcomes the Chia obstacle and carries the Oilers into the postseason (And wins a round or two to boot).

 

[Steeze]