Player Discussion Mattias Ekholm

[Fishy McScales]

I hope Ekholm proves more durable than Pronger. Pronger’s career was ostensibly done by the time he was 33.

What? Pronger had 55 points and added another 18 in the playoffs at 35 years of age.

He was still effective when he eventually got that head injury.

 

[AM]

Not surprised. I grew up in the 60's and 70's. It was a very different time back then.

I can still remember playing outdoor games at 7pm in the bitter cold. Then we moved to Egypt and I never complained about the heat.

 

[OilynutEsquire]

I hope Ekholm proves more durable than Pronger. Pronger’s career was ostensibly done by the time he was 33.

2008-09	Anaheim Ducks	NHL	82	11	37	48	88	0	13	2	8	10	12
2009-10	Philadelphia Flyers	NHL	82	10	45	55	79	22	23	4	14	18	36
2010-11	Philadelphia Flyers	NHL	50	4	21	25	44	7	3	0	1	1	4
2011-12	Philadelphia Flyers	NHL	13	1	11	12	10	1	--	--	--	--	--

Pronger was still playing at a very high level before he took a stick to the eye.

 

[Stoneman89]

There also was some angst as to how our PP would fare with Barrie gone. No offence to Barrie, but Bouch has settled in nicely, and we really haven't missed a beat.

 

[Mr Positive]

There also was some angst as to how our PP would fare with Barrie gone. No offence to Barrie, but Bouch has settled in nicely, and we really haven't missed a beat.

Barrie did very well but he was never the PP QB the way outsiders said, just because he was the Dman on the PP.

But also, just like how Barrie had fantastic PP skills, so does Bouchard. The team bet on Bouchard and came out on top

 

[Skolman]

 

[SwedishFire]

I hope Ekholm proves more durable than Pronger. Pronger’s career was ostensibly done by the time he was 33.

Prongers playingstyle also made him some.

Ekholm has at least two good years left, and I think as a postional, smart D, he will age good. But if he has a bad last year, so be it, he has provided much NHL D knowledge to this young D core.

 

[Porkleaker]

Remember the trade announcement thread where people were legit mad about this trade and losing Barrie and how Bouchard wasn't ready or good enough hahahahaha.

 

[guymez]

Remember the trade announcement thread where people were legit mad about this trade and losing Barrie and how Bouchard wasn't ready or good enough hahahahaha.

That couldnt have happened on here. This board never over reacts.

 

[Trafalgar Sadge Law]

Even if Ekholm declines in the last year or two of his contract we can just bring him back on the Giordano special contract and have him babysit Wanner or whichever dman we're trying to break in on the bottom pair. Hard to not see a role for him here in some capacity after current contract is up.

 

[Oilers in NS]

biggest Idiot in hockey, Craig Button

MSN

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

biggest Idiot in hockey, Craig Button

MSN

He should stop getting paid for his hockey opinion

 

[Oilers in NS]

He should stop getting paid for his hockey opinion

He picked Calgary last year to win cup. He says we have no chance
No defence or goaltending

 

[McFlyingV]

There also was some angst as to how our PP would fare with Barrie gone. No offence to Barrie, but Bouch has settled in nicely, and we really haven't missed a beat.

Those questions weren't from people who watch the team, and if they were then they really had a poor understanding of hockey. The point man on this power play never had any serious responsibility and were only there as an option to offload the puck to against aggressive PKs or to find an open lane when teams overloaded the slot and half wall.

If anything the hope was that Bouchard could give the PP an element it lacked which was a more consistent shooting option from the point because Barrie rarely shot unless the opposing PK gave him a look he couldn't pass up. Bouchard's still growing into that role, but I think with more and more reps his decision making to shoot will become more consistent when its there.

 

[guymez]

Those questions weren't from people who watch the team, and if they were then they really had a poor understanding of hockey. The point man on this power play never had any serious responsibility and were only there as an option to offload the puck to against aggressive PKs or to find an open lane when teams overloaded the slot and half wall.

If anything the hope was that Bouchard could give the PP an element it lacked which was a more consistent shooting option from the point because Barrie rarely shot unless the opposing PK gave him a look he couldn't pass up. Bouchard's still growing into that role, but I think with more and more reps his decision making to shoot will become more consistent when its there.

Actually there were posters on this board who suggested the losing Barrie would negatively impact the PP.
I'm sure they are actually quite happy to have been proven wrong though.

 

[McFlyingV]

Actually there were posters on this board who suggested the losing Barrie would negatively impact the PP.
I'm sure they are actually quite happy to have been proven wrong though.

I just don't know how anyone could watch this team's PP night in and night out and think that its success in anyway relies on the point man.

 

[djbard99]

biggest Idiot in hockey, Craig Button

MSN

It's amazing when you see it in almost every profession, some bozo spewing garbage.

 

[McDoused]

It's amazing when you see it in almost every profession, some bozo spewing garbage.

Honestly I wish we saw more of it. I like button. Hes not afraid to go against the grain and have his own opinion (albeit is usually wrong). Too many media guys just agree with each other and it makes for boring television.

I remember he didnt like Ristolainan in his draft year and had him ranked outside the 1st round. Sometimes is nice to see guys challenge things.

Having said that he couldnt be more wrong about Ekholm and it's nice to see him eat his words and own up to it.

 

[Oilers in NS]

It's amazing when you see it in almost every profession, some bozo spewing garbage.

Button is a buffon

 

[guymez]

I just don't know how anyone could watch this team's PP night in and night out and think that its success in anyway relies on the point man.

Completely agree. RNH on the half wall is much more important to the PP than Barrie.

 

[Despote]

Yeah the defenceman and the net-front guy are all fully replaceable in the PP. McDrai are McDrai and there's not a player in the league that could replace one of them in their role, but Nuge is also a very important cog in making the PP roll as the best of all time.

It doesn't matter if it's Hyman, Kane, Chiasson, Neal or even Puljujarvi at the net or if it's Barrie, Bouchard or Klefbom as the D.

 

[TB12]

Anyone else working on their Ekholm Viking playoff beard these days? Or just me?

 

[McSuper]

biggest Idiot in hockey, Craig Button

MSN

Fans need to remember Button was a GM every time they want to fire Holland. Grass isn't always greener.

As for Chychrun's injuries I was a fan that never wanted him because he is injured way too much. I had fellow Oilers fans argue with me over this.

 

[Oilers]

biggest Idiot in hockey, Craig Button

MSN

Button is bad. Curious to know who people think are the worst hockey “journalist/reporters” out there;

Button
Steve Simmons
Matheson and Spector can both take a hike too

 

[Oilers in NS]

Button is bad. Curious to know who people think are the worst hockey “journalist/reporters” out there;

Button
Steve Simmons
Matheson and Spector can both take a hike too

those 2 fools that use to have their own show on Sportsnet. They were pretty critical of the Oilers