Pre-Game Talk: Return of the Rat - Stanley Cup Finals '24: Edmonton vs. Florida

[Paralyzer]

LA gets no credit for making the playoffs. Vancouver is just everyone was hurt apparently and the refs gifted us that series.

Was really happy to beat Dallas as no one was saying they were going to be an easy out. Although now that we beat them I'm sure there will be some stories to discredit our victory against them.

Who cares haha. People will try to justify anything. In the end, we made it to the Cup Finals. The rest of the 30 teams didn't. Boo hoo. Stop making excuses and accept the outcome. There is a famous phrase we use in the gaming world to those who are sore losers:

 

[jesusbuiltmyhotrod]

We're a good road team, I'm kinda happy to be starting on the road.

Oilers have been better on the road.

 

[K1984]

Yeah, it's not the sole reason, it's the main one.

I can't think of any other reason Gagner should be in the lineup at this point in time over several available players that are out of the lineup on a given night IMO.

 

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

Oilers have been better on the road.

Agreed. We've won in some really tough buildings.

 

[joestevens29]

The narrative has already changed from Dallas being a juggernaut to them being an old, tired team that was burnt out from playing two good teams already.

Which is funny because I thought we were one of the older teams in the league nowadays.

 

[jesusbuiltmyhotrod]

I'm not sure if you're agreeing with me or not here - but the key difference is I actually watch the games instead of reading a leafs writer post once a week.

That NYR-Panthers series was awful hockey in comparison.

It was panthers are very beatable they have no one scary.. we have mcdavid

 

[HamiltonNHL]

Leafs suck.

 

[ZJuice]

Dressing a guy for the sole reason of getting his name on the Cup is stupid for about a half dozen reasons at least.

I'm pretty sure he's done enough for the team to petition the league to get him on. Hopefully we get a chance to find out

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

I can't think of any other reason Gagner should be in the lineup at this point in time over several available players that are out of the lineup on a given night IMO.

Then you're being obtuse about this. Sam Gagner, after everything, deserves one swing at this.

This isn't some kid, he's veteran, he knows how to play the game, he can be trusted.

 

[snag]

Leafs suck.

View attachment 879169

1967. The first year the Stanley Cup Final was broadcast in colour in Canada LOL

Then you're being obtuse about this. Sam Gagner, after everything, deserves one swing at this.

This isn't some kid, he's veteran, he knows how to play the game, he can be trusted.

And the guy has bled a lot for the copper n' blue.

 

[TopShelfGloveSide]

LA gets no credit for making the playoffs. Vancouver is just everyone was hurt apparently and the refs gifted us that series.

Was really happy to beat Dallas as no one was saying they were going to be an easy out. Although now that we beat them I'm sure there will be some stories to discredit our victory against them.

Canucks had the chance to close us out 2 times and scored a total of 3 goals in those 2 games. Goaltending isn’t why they didn’t close out the series. That being said obviously the series could have been different with a healthy Demko… but if we’re in magic no injury land we would also have a healthy McDrai.

Dallas was a juggernaut and TB isn’t better than LA this year.

 

[fancy dan]

hard no to gagner, too much on the line and his feet are too slow.

 

[Arpeggio]

Then you're being obtuse about this. Sam Gagner, after everything, deserves one swing at this.

This isn't some kid, he's veteran, he knows how to play the game, he can be trusted.

I don't think you can do that at this point in the playoffs. Foegele goes in before Gagner imo, Gagner is just too slow, and won't contribute on special teams. I love Gagner too, but can't see it happening with Carrick and Foegele available to go in.

 

[HamiltonNHL]

1967. The first year the Stanley Cup Final was broadcast in colour in Canada LOL

lol.

 

[Canovin]

Then you're being obtuse about this. Sam Gagner, after everything, deserves one swing at this.

This isn't some kid, he's veteran, he knows how to play the game, he can be trusted.

Even 5 mins of TOI isn't going to hurt the team

 

[Victor000]

Wild speculation here but I’ve been thinking about something. Would you pay $5,000 if it’d guarantee the Oilers win the cup? I would - easily.

That should be their slogan.

I mean theoretically you could spend the 5G and then make it plus a lot more in sports gambling.

 

[K1984]

Then you're being obtuse about this. Sam Gagner, after everything, deserves one swing at this.

This isn't some kid, he's veteran, he knows how to play the game, he can be trusted.

No, I'm just more interested in dressing the best possible roster to win the Stanley Cup instead of fanboying over a player that objectively should not have priority over other players to get in the lineup.

The fact we're even talking about cutesy feel good things in relation to winning the cup at this point is silly, and I can guarantee not even a thought in the room (thankfully).

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

I don't think you can do that at this point in the playoffs. Foegele goes in before Gagner imo, Gagner is just too slow, and won't contribute on special teams. I love Gagner too, but can't see it happening with Carrick and Foegele available to go in.

Foegele isn't getting back in right now. Gagner is easily as fast as Perry.

I don't know who you think he is, but he's not Brad Malone, Gagner can absolutely play. If he plays sub 10 mins, the team will be just fine. No one is suggesting he get 20+ mins in all situations.

 

[ZJuice]

Who was the blonde woman that was celebrating the conference finals win on the ice and in the photos? The Director of Player Services? not creeping! Just curious lol

I looked at the training staff page. Joey Moss is still on there. Put a little tear or two in my eyes

 

[Victor000]

The narrative has already changed from Dallas being a juggernaut to them being an old, tired team that was burnt out from playing two good teams already.

I do also believe there's a clear bias against the Pacific division. They can't shake this idea that the division is full of weak teams and that beating teams from there is an easy road to the finals.

 

[WaitingForUser]

Who was the blonde woman that was celebrating the conference finals win on the ice and in the photos? The Director of Player Services? not creeping! Just curious lol

I looked at the training staff page. Joey Moss is still on there. Put a little tear or two in my eyes

View attachment 879182

My guess is Emily Cave

 

[TopShelfGloveSide]

Foegele isn't getting back in right now. Gagner is easily as fast as Perry.

I don't know who you think he is, but he's not Brad Malone, Gagner can absolutely play. If he plays sub 10 mins, the team will be just fine. No one is suggesting he get 20+ mins in all situations.

We are way beyond the point of playing a player because he’s a good dude. Gags is sweet but he’s not built for this series. He’s slow like Perry but doesn’t bring the nasty that Perry can in what is sure to be a nasty / dirty series.

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

We are way beyond the point of playing a player because he’s a good dude. Gags is sweet but he’s not built for this series. He’s slow like Perry but doesn’t bring the nasty that Perry can in what is sure to be a nasty / dirty series.

Honestly, no, this situation is different. You cannot convince me that ONE game of Gagner instead of Perry will sink this group.

 

[WaitingForUser]

I do also believe there's a clear bias against the Pacific division. They can't shake this idea that the division is full of weak teams and that beating teams from there is an easy road to the finals.

Which is absolutely hilarious because the last two cup finalists in the west were out of the Pacific and the the last 3 WCF were pacific teams.

Honestly, no, this situation is different. You cannot convince me that ONE game of Gagner instead of Perry will sink this group.

I would go further to say that getting Sam in there would provide an even larger spark for both the teams and the fans.

 

[5 14 6 1]

The narrative has already changed from Dallas being a juggernaut to them being an old, tired team that was burnt out from playing two good teams already.

The goal posts will never stop moving. Even if we win