Post-Game Talk: Oilers lose 3-2 in OT ...so close, yet so far

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

Well, a new GM couldn't screw this up any worse than it already is.

Are you absolutely sure about that?

 

[KarmaPolice]

Anyone else agree that our single biggest need is a decent PMD? Lots of trouble clearing the puck lately.

Schultz is one man and slowly wearing down.

Petry has struggled at times.

Potter isn't a top 6 D on a real NHL team.

Completely disagree. Our defense looked amazing the last 3 years, and adding a young rookie right out of college in Justin Schultz (who never played pro hockey before) was just what the doctor ordered, and should've given this team one of the best defensive units in the league. If the defense is looking weak, it's Schultz's fault; he should have 30 points by now, like he did in the AHL.

 

[DareDoiler]

Unless you keep handing out 6 million per year contracts two years after drafting these kids. That salary cap is going to fill up preeeeeetty fast. No worries though. These kids are talented enough. If we have to deal one or two or three of them in the future I'm sure that somebody will take them on.

Heh well I was being sarcastic. I'm of the camp that yak shouldn't be on this team (should have traded that pick) or at the very least, I pray we trade this years first rounder and one of our seconds.

Rebuild should be over. Build with what you got and trade/pay for the holes that need filling. I think the biggest flaw with the management, even more so than the fans, is that they have bought into the idea the kids are untoucheable. I just wish they cared less about their oil change documentary and more about bringing in solid players.

 

[guymez]

Well then please provide some examples of vets to sign. Ones that won't fall off the map when they do sign here.

Perhaps Ryane Clowe?

Yes...I think players of Clowes ilk are exactly what this team needs.
Quality vets don't fall off the map.

Its doable with a GM that doesn't have this pipe dream of trying to build a team between 19-23 with no quality vets at all.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Are you absolutely sure about that?

I think we can be reasonably certain, to be 100% honest.

Unless you think 30th, 30th, and 29th place finishes are tough to improve upon.

 

[The Perfect Human*]

Are the people calling for more Yakupov actually watching these games? The guy is an absolute turnover machine at EV. Tons of errant passes, including a spin-o-rama that was 10X as dramatic as the one Gagner is getting flamed for trying tonight.

Yak was also directly responsible for the OT loss against Van.


He's having the usual rookie struggles. Still, no where near to creating enough offence to make up for his mistakes.

No, that was Eberle.

 

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

Yes...I think players of Clowes ilk are exactly what this team needs.
Quality vets don't fall off the map.

Its doable with a GM that doesn't have this pipe dream of trying to build a team between 19-23 with no quality vets at all.

And how much are you willing to pay Clowe? For how long? Are you sure you can provide him the best offer that no other GM can match?

Last thing I want this team to do is to give out Leino and Wiesnewski contracts.

 

[Moonlapse Vertigo]

Heh well I was being sarcastic. I'm of the camp that yak shouldn't be on this team (should have traded that pick) or at the very least, I pray we trade this years first rounder and one of our seconds.

Rebuild should be over. Build with what you got and trade/pay for the holes that need filling. I think the biggest flaw with the management, even more so than the fans, is that they have bought into the idea the kids are untoucheable. I just wish they cared less about their oil change documentary and more about bringing in solid players.

I know you were.

I'm beyond sick of that stupid documentary. It's embarrassing as hell that it's going to be back next year and likely the year after that at this rate.

 

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

I think we can be reasonably certain, to be 100% honest.

Unless you think 30th, 30th, and 29th place finishes are tough to improve upon.

Say the new GM comes in and deals Hall for "quality" vets due to the fanbase's desire for change...

 

[Moonlapse Vertigo]

I think we can be reasonably certain, to be 100% honest.

Unless you think 30th, 30th, and 29th place finishes are tough to improve upon.

A new GM could *gasp* trade one of the kids for an established NHL veteran with a successful track record.

 

[McOilbleeder]

Say the new GM comes in and deals Hall for "quality" vets due to the fanbase's desire for change...

Name one GM in the post lockout era who has traded a Hall type player for quality vets due to the fanbase's desire for change?

 

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

A new GM could *gasp* trade one of the kids for an established NHL veteran with a successful track record.

And they could end up sucking hind banana here. We haven't seen any quality vets come here via trade or signing since CFP.

 

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

Name one GM in the post lockout era who has traded a Hall type player for quality vets due to the fanbase's desire for change?

Hey I'm just saying. And it sounds like some people would be for that.

 

[dustrock]

Yes...I think players of Clowes ilk are exactly what this team needs.
Quality vets don't fall off the map.

Its doable with a GM that doesn't have this pipe dream of trying to build a team between 19-23 with no quality vets at all.

Clowe hasn't scored this year and has been on a downward spiral the last couple of years. The healthy, active Clowe is exactly the type of player we need, but I'm not convinced that guy is there anymore.

I've watched a bunch of Sharks regular and playoff games the last several years. I would have killed to get him 2-3 years ago.

Now, maybe he needs a shakeup, I'm just not sure it's guaranteed he'll be that killer big body.


Also - how about that deep Chicago defence? Wish we had something like that.

God I figure by the time Klefbom, Marincin and Gernat are NHL-ready, Eberle and Hall will be gone.

Maybe the secret of Chicago and Pittsburgh is that they were able to have solid/star forwards, defence and goaltending at the same time.

We're top 6 small skilled forward heavy and we have one legit star d-man who is a rookie.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Say the new GM comes in and deals Hall for "quality" vets due to the fanbase's desire for change...

Or he trades our 1st rounder for the hard nosed top-six vet we need, comes in and scores 30 goals every season he's here while teaching the young guns the ropes on how to conduct themselves and how to win. We can play the "if" game all day.

A new GM could *gasp* trade one of the kids for an established NHL veteran with a successful track record.

Hmmmm...yeah, and what if he teaches them how to be consummate pro's in and outside the game, and even how to win hockey games! I won't have it! I take back all I have said.

 

[guymez]

And how much are you willing to pay Clowe? For how long? Are you sure you can provide him the best offer that no other GM can match?

Last thing I want this team to do is to give out Leino and Wiesnewski contracts.

There is more to being a GM than signing FA's and drafting 1st overall.
The problem is this team has a GM thats afraid to make a mistake so he does next to nothing. This is a team with many players on ELC's and a lot of cap space...whats wrong with using some of that space to improve the veteran depth short term and take the heat off of these kids?

 

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

Or he trades our 1st rounder for the hard nosed top-six vet we need, comes in and scores 30 goals every season he's here while teaching the young guns the ropes on how to conduct themselves and how to win. We can play the "if" game all day.

Yeah but when's the last time a traded vet came here and performed well?

 

[DareDoiler]

Say the new GM comes in and deals Hall for "quality" vets due to the fanbase's desire for change...

While I think hall is the last of the kids I would want to trade, lets say that he did? Would it be soooooo bad?

Say Hall brought in two "solid" vets. The less skilled, but older and wiser and tougher proven producers/leaders.

You would still have the yak, nuge, eberle, Shultz toys to play with, and could maybe be a contender 3 years sooner than our current pace.

 

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

There is more to being a GM than signing FA's and drafting 1st overall.
The problem is this team has a GM thats afraid to make a mistake so he does next to nothing. This is a team with many players on ELC's and a lot of cap space...whats wrong with using some of that space to improve the veteran depth short term and take the heat off of these kids?

I agree entirely but where is that help coming from? You gotta give to get. Even though Gagner's the team leader in points I don't see him or Hemsky being in high demand.

If you're a GM and you see the Oilers not in a position of strength... Do you ask for Gagner, or do you ask for Eberle? If Tambo hangs up, not a big loss for the other GM.

 

[guymez]

Clowe hasn't scored this year and has been on a downward spiral the last couple of years. The healthy, active Clowe is exactly the type of player we need, but I'm not convinced that guy is there anymore.

I've watched a bunch of Sharks regular and playoff games the last several years. I would have killed to get him 2-3 years ago.

Now, maybe he needs a shakeup, I'm just not sure it's guaranteed he'll be that killer big body.


Also - how about that deep Chicago defence? Wish we had something like that.

God I figure by the time Klefbom, Marincin and Gernat are NHL-ready, Eberle and Hall will be gone.

Maybe the secret of Chicago and Pittsburgh is that they were able to have solid/star forwards, defence and goaltending at the same time.

We're top 6 small skilled forward heavy and we have one legit star d-man who is a rookie.

Yeah Clowe has tailed off but the point I was trying to make is that this team desperately needs quality 2nd line vets. Chicago and Pittsburgh had quality veterans to take up the tough minutes and allow the young players to find their way.

Tambo is playing a dangerous game here by forcing Kruger to play the kids in situations which are over their heads.

 

[Oiltankjob Fail]

There is more to being a GM than signing FA's and drafting 1st overall.
The problem is this team has a GM thats afraid to make a mistake so he does next to nothing. This is a team with many players on ELC's and a lot of cap space...whats wrong with using some of that space to improve the veteran depth short term and take the heat off of these kids?

Very good point.

 

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

While I think hall is the last of the kids I would want to trade, lets say that he did? Would it be soooooo bad?

Say Hall brought in two "solid" vets. The less skilled, but older and wiser and tougher proven producers/leaders.

You would still have the yak, nuge, eberle, Shultz toys to play with, and could maybe be a contender 3 years sooner than our current pace.

Well considering we just signed Hall to an extension, it would certainly be a kick in the teeth for him and would just say to him (and others) "We're willing to give up on you so early in your career."

Plus there's no given that the people he brings back would help. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush...

 

[McVespa99]

"Yay, we got a point!"

And we wonder why no one wants to play here with that loser mentality.

This is so 2007

 

[KarmaPolice]

Yeah but when's the last time a traded vet came here and performed well?

About the last time we landed a big named vet in a trade: Chris Pronger.

That team had a lot of upcoming free agents, and was not flush full of young players, and I think Chris saw the inevitable downward spiral, which was probably a key reason for him wanting out. Not to mention the team's budget was considerably lower then, I believe. Much has changed since. This team is built for the future; it's just begging for the right vets to slide into key places. We need a GM to make that happen, and Tambo doesn't seem up for the task.

 

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

About the last time we landed a big named vet in a trade: Chris Pronger.

Yeah, 7 years ago. And he was a legit superstar, if not HOFer. Not too many of those available for trade.