Rumor: Rumors & Proposals Thread | With Klingberg in the Mix Who Are Our 7D After the Deadline?

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Maybe it's just me, but for me RNH has been playing really well the last month or so when he's been at center. Yes he's been bobbling at times on the PP but he doesn't usually handle the puck as much on the PP as he has lately. What does that tell you? It tells me that McDavid is deferring more because he is not healthy.
This is kind of a non-sequitur, but I feel like we've been talking for a long time about how McDavid is fighting an injury, often comes down with the flu, etc etc. I wonder if this is just how he perfers to play the game, and sometimes he goes through a stretch where everything is just a little bit off. His scoring pace isn't really down too much (if you give him back the six games he's missed, he's likely tied with or ahead of Draisaitl). His goal scoring hasn't been the same since his rocket year.

I dunno, I'm not really saying anything here, but it seems like McDavid plays a certain way in the regular season. Always pass first, not as many explosive bursts, especially in games against weaker opponents. He never really lights up bad teams like you think he would with 4-5 point games. He's definitely fighting something right now (it certainly looks like sickness to me), but he also does just play a fairly passive game in the regular season.
 
This is kind of a non-sequitur, but I feel like we've been talking for a long time about how McDavid is fighting an injury, often comes down with the flu, etc etc. I wonder if this is just how he perfers to play the game, and sometimes he goes through a stretch where everything is just a little bit off. His scoring pace isn't really down too much (if you give him back the six games he's missed, he's likely tied with or ahead of Draisaitl). His goal scoring hasn't been the same since his rocket year.

I dunno, I'm not really saying anything here, but it seems like McDavid plays a certain way in the regular season. Always pass first, not as many explosive bursts, especially in games against weaker opponents. He never really lights up bad teams like you think he would with 4-5 point games. He's definitely fighting something right now (it certainly looks like sickness to me), but he also does just play a fairly passive game in the regular season.
Something isn't right. His stickhandling isn't as good either. It's either he's been fighting something the last 2 seasons or he peaked 2 seasons ago.
 
Agreed. We wait until after the deadline to criticize. They obviously have some sort of a plan.

Some people don't seem to realize that signing Klingberg meant we were going to take our time and see how he plays out before making a decision which direction we will go in a trade.
Yes your likely right. We have 8 games to go before the deadline and will likely use 6 of them in evaluation. Not sure what Stan the man with the plan (sorry still smarting from his decision not to match on Holloway) is capable of ....

Here is some obvious foolishness...

Gibson (some retention)
Dumoulin (some retention, start as 7th, will be required addition for playoffs, re-sign for a second year)
Ross Johnston (big man, skates well, forechecker, PK, enforcer, our 13th forward)

for

'26 1st
William Nicholls rights
Stuart Skinner
Stecher
Kapanen

Yes i know a hockey trade is ridiculous, I know Anaheim wont like to trade with us, and i ignored trade clauses. The world is likely still spinning tomorrow.
 
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Something isn't right. His stickhandling isn't as good either. It's either he's been fighting something the last 2 seasons or he peaked 2 seasons ago.
My take (not based on anything) is that he's really focusing on preserving his body and ensuring that he's in good shape for the playoffs. He almost never puts himself in a position to take hard contact, and seems to focus on long cycles and possession. I don't know why he seems so reluctant to shoot, but I feel like that might just be how he prefers to play (setting up others).

I will say, the way he's playing now seems very sustainable, like I wouldn't expect a huge drop off when he's 35-40 like I would've when he first came into the league (when he was more reliant on speed). I also don't think it's a stretch to think that his 150 point campaign likely was his offensive peak.
 
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Yes your likely right. We have 8 games to go before the deadline and will likely use 6 of them in evaluation. Not sure what Stan the man with the plan (sorry still smarting from his decision not to match on Holloway) is capable of ....

Here is some obvious foolishness...

Gibson (some retention)
Dumoulin (some retention, start as 7th, will be required addition for playoffs, re-sign for a second year)
Ross Johnston (big man, skates well, forechecker, PK, enforcer, our 13th forward)

for

'26 1st
William Nicholls rights
Stuart Skinner
Stecher
Kapanen

Yes i know a hockey trade is ridiculous, I know Anaheim wont like to trade with us, and i ignored trade clauses. The world is likely still spinning tomorrow.
That seems like way too much. Gibson would be nice, but not Skinner+Nicholl+1st nice.

Then Dumoulin and Johnston are both worth nothing and not needed.
 
Kinda weird. Guessing negotiation isn’t going well?

Probably not the best sign, but it could mean any number of things, good or bad.

I believe he doesn't qualify as a Group 6 UFA anymore based on games played this season, he should be an RFA. Perhaps Emberson wanted this done last month. Perhaps Emberson thinks his old representatives were pushing an undesirable offer. Perhaps the Blues have whispered offer sheet in his ear.
 
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Probably not the best sign, but it could mean any number of things, good or bad.

I believe he doesn't qualify as a Group 6 UFA anymore based on games played this season, he should be an RFA. Perhaps Emberson wanted this done last month. Perhaps Emberson thinks his old representatives were pushing an undesirable offer. Perhaps the Blues have whispered offer sheet in his ear.

I mean, the way McDavid treated Holloway in the Blues game, should send a message to all players on the team looking for money vs winning. If you aren't gonna be here to win, then GTFO.
 
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My take (not based on anything) is that he's really focusing on preserving his body and ensuring that he's in good shape for the playoffs. He almost never puts himself in a position to take hard contact, and seems to focus on long cycles and possession. I don't know why he seems so reluctant to shoot, but I feel like that might just be how he prefers to play (setting up others).

I will say, the way he's playing now seems very sustainable, like I wouldn't expect a huge drop off when he's 35-40 like I would've when he first came into the league (when he was more reliant on speed). I also don't think it's a stretch to think that his 150 point campaign likely was his offensive peak.

I hope you’re right but I would be surprised if he’s saving it for the playoffs personally.

I think he’s playing hurt or he’s starting to slow down. Hes been off (for him) all year.
 
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Something isn't right. His stickhandling isn't as good either. It's either he's been fighting something the last 2 seasons or he peaked 2 seasons ago.

We won't know until we can look at his career in totality after its done. But its really, REALLY, common for offensive players to peak around 25-26 production wise. It wouldn't be shocking at all that McDavid is the same.

I think a big part of the last two years though is that he just doesn't really care about the regular season. We were having these same "is he injured? why doesn't he shoot more?" conversations most of last year as well. Then he goes into the playoffs and has a playoff run that hasn't been seen in 30 years. I really think that the last 2 years he only cares about the playoffs. He's already a 1st ballot hall of famer, and will be talked about as one of the 10 best players in the history of the game. He already has every regular season award you could really have. I personally believe that the last 2 years is McDavid taking care of himself in the regular season and trying to be healthy and ready for the playoffs.
 
We won't know until we can look at his career in totality after its done. But its really, REALLY, common for offensive players to peak around 25-26 production wise. It wouldn't be shocking at all that McDavid is the same.

I think a big part of the last two years though is that he just doesn't really care about the regular season. We were having these same "is he injured? why doesn't he shoot more?" conversations most of last year as well. Then he goes into the playoffs and has a playoff run that hasn't been seen in 30 years. I really think that the last 2 years he only cares about the playoffs. He's already a 1st ballot hall of famer, and will be talked about as one of the 10 best players in the history of the game. He already has every regular season award you could really have. I personally believe that the last 2 years is McDavid taking care of himself in the regular season and trying to be healthy and ready for the playoffs.

We will see. I worry hes not going to pop off these playoffs to the same degree because our PP hasn’t even been close to what it was the past few years. But maybe they are saving some of their schematics. I hope Bowman is aggressive and puts forth the best roster he can for the playoffs to give McDrai the best shot he can.
 
We won't know until we can look at his career in totality after its done. But its really, REALLY, common for offensive players to peak around 25-26 production wise. It wouldn't be shocking at all that McDavid is the same.

I think a big part of the last two years though is that he just doesn't really care about the regular season. We were having these same "is he injured? why doesn't he shoot more?" conversations most of last year as well. Then he goes into the playoffs and has a playoff run that hasn't been seen in 30 years. I really think that the last 2 years he only cares about the playoffs. He's already a 1st ballot hall of famer, and will be talked about as one of the 10 best players in the history of the game. He already has every regular season award you could really have. I personally believe that the last 2 years is McDavid taking care of himself in the regular season and trying to be healthy and ready for the playoffs.
Yeah it's hard to say. Sid seemed to 'peak' at 29, but has been basically consistent every season since, being just above PPG. He didn't have a huge drop off.

Reminds me of Connor now. Now huge drop off, but enough to notice. I do feel like right now though it's an injury - or holding back.
 
I wouldn't mind Tuch, but that's another 1st out the door for another forward for sure.

Yeah it's hard to say. Sid seemed to 'peak' at 29, but has been basically consistent every season since, being just above PPG. He didn't have a huge drop off.

Reminds me of Connor now. Now huge drop off, but enough to notice. I do feel like right now though it's an injury - or holding back.

He's pacing himself for the playoffs. I think he knows this is Leon's year to win the Hart.

Kinda weird. Guessing negotiation isn’t going well?

He looking for that Desharnais money, lol. Again this is why I don't get to attached to these kinds of players. They're replacable.
 
I wouldn't mind Tuch, but that's another 1st out the door for another forward for sure.



He's pacing himself for the playoffs. I think he knows this is Leon's year to win the Hart.



He looking for that Desharnais money, lol. Again this is why I don't get to attached to these kinds of players. They're replacable.
Probably Vinny money x 8 years
 
Ok gents

Frank S said he's been told that goaltending is #4 or #5 on the priority list. So just get behind Skinner now. No use complaining.

If they falter in the playoffs directly from goaltending, we can point and laugh at management
 
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Ok gents

Frank S said he's been told that goaltending is #4 or #5 on the priority list. So just get behind Skinner now. No use complaining.

If they falter in the playoffs directly from goaltending, we can point and laugh at management

I dont get why I can't cheer on Skinner but also want to see our goaltending be better?
 
My take (not based on anything) is that he's really focusing on preserving his body and ensuring that he's in good shape for the playoffs. He almost never puts himself in a position to take hard contact, and seems to focus on long cycles and possession. I don't know why he seems so reluctant to shoot, but I feel like that might just be how he prefers to play (setting up others).

I will say, the way he's playing now seems very sustainable, like I wouldn't expect a huge drop off when he's 35-40 like I would've when he first came into the league (when he was more reliant on speed). I also don't think it's a stretch to think that his 150 point campaign likely was his offensive peak.
I think that you may be right about the bolded.
Its like he now clearly understands what his priority is....the SC playoffs

At least thats what I would like to believe. :D
 
For a top four Dman? Yes. That will sign long term.

I'm listening to the podcast right now of Gregor and Tyler yremchuk just circle jerking over our goaltending.

Basically being cocky

Said would rather see is upgrade other parts


Please tell me this is on the mains

Gregor says goaltending is an environment of your team. Hey moron, we are top ten defensive team

I want to slap him and Tyler through the phone

As long as your consistent. I'm gonna save this post as I dont think it will age well. Pettersson is not the type of defenceman the Oilers need to commit 6 years and 33M to when he doesn't even play the right side.
 
As long as your consistent. I'm gonna save this post as I dont think it will age well. Pettersson is not the type of defenceman the Oilers need to commit 6 years and 33M to when he doesn't even play the right side.
That's fine. I'm ok with that. He looks good to me. I'm sure they will add somebody good in the end
 
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Something isn't right. His stickhandling isn't as good either. It's either he's been fighting something the last 2 seasons or he peaked 2 seasons ago.
I think it's most likely he peaked, but you need to take into account that McDavid only cares about just doing enough to make the playoffs. It's like all superstars, LeBron James isn't going 100% in the regular season unless he has to.
 

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