Rumor: Rumours and Proposals PART6 for 2016/2017-Complaint window 1 is now open

[Sheikyerbouti]

Slep outplayed a lot of players including Versteeg imo, he deserves a shot but losing Versteeg was a pretty big hit in the experience department. We are being forced to roll four rookies now when it should be two.

It was a dirtbag move to bail out of a pto when a contract is offered, especially on the day before the season started imo.

While younger this new lineup is heavier. The whole team now is pretty big and we can win multiple ways but an injury will force rookies into big roles. Sucks but not that much...

 

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

This is about addressing needs.

The planets dont have to align for this team to make the playoffs either...thats hyperbole.
A couple of key needs have to be met. A vet RW and a top 4 dman.

This was a last place club last year. They've improved but not nearly enough to make the playoffs, RW troubles or no. A lot has to go right for them, health first and foremost.

The d-core is the best it's been in a very long time, and yet to say it's still not good enough would be pretty accurate.

As much as we all dream of a playoff spot, the last year version of the Oilers was a very harsh dose of reality of what the team really is.

 

[Bryanbryoil]

This is about addressing needs.

The planets dont have to align for this team to make the playoffs either...thats hyperbole.
A couple of key needs have to be met. A vet RW and a top 4 dman.

So Russell is a 3rd pairing guy in your opinion? IMO if you have only 2 holes on your team and they aren't top pairing defense or #1 center you're in pretty damn good shape as a team.

 

[McXLNC97]

The planets would have to align for the Oilers to make the playoffs and PAP/Versteeg certainly wasn't the difference.

The three CAL teams, STL, CHI, NSH, and DAL. That's 7 playoff teams right there. One spot is open, probably for the Avalanche or something.

Oilers don't have to beat all those teams, all they need is a 3rd place finish in the division to qualify. The Blues, Hawks, etc are irrelevant to them

 

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

Oilers don't have to beat all those teams, all they need is a 3rd place finish in the division to qualify.

You are correct, but they're in no way better than any of the California teams. They might be better than Arizona and Vancouver, but that's it.

 

[guymez]

This was a last place club last year. They've improved but not nearly enough to make the playoffs, RW troubles or no. A lot has to go right for them, health first and foremost.

The d-core is the best it's been in a very long time, and yet to say it's still not good enough would be pretty accurate.

As much as we all dream of a playoff spot, the last year version of the Oilers was a very harsh dose of reality of what the team really is.

This is really simple.
Look at the roster...RW and defence are issues. Fix that and this is a playoff team regardless of what happened last season.

 

[Bryanbryoil]

Slep outplayed a lot of players including Versteeg imo, he deserves a shot but losing Versteeg was a pretty big hit in the experience department. We are being forced to roll four rookies now when it should be two.

It was a dirtbag move to bail out of a pto when a contract is offered, especially on the day before the season started imo.

While younger this new lineup is heavier. The whole team now is pretty big and we can win multiple ways but an injury will force rookies into big roles. Sucks but not that much...

The experience part is what we'd miss the most. That said we have a fair bit of experience now with guys like Lucic, Russell, Sekera, Hendricks, etc. That said if he couldn't out play 2 guys that were mostly in the AHL last season why should we have given him a roster spot? IMO we needed Russell much more than we needed Versteeg.

 

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

This is really simple.
Look at the roster...RW and defence are issues. Fix that and this is a playoff team regardless of what happened last season.

I really appreciate the optimism but they're just not ready for that leap yet. Not many teams make that kind of leap without an Avalanche of luck (if you'll pardon the pun).

TSN (yes it's TSN) had them 13th in the West just ahead of Vancouver. I don't think Sportsnet's prediction was much kinder.

 

[oilinblood]

Slep outplayed a lot of players including Versteeg imo, he deserves a shot but losing Versteeg was a pretty big hit in the experience department. We are being forced to roll four rookies now when it should be two.

It was a dirtbag move to bail out of a pto when a contract is offered, especially on the day before the season started imo.

While younger this new lineup is heavier. The whole team now is pretty big and we can win multiple ways but an injury will force rookies into big roles. Sucks but not that much...

it just shows his value/non-value in a dressing room and why so many teams dont care when he leaves.

 

[Senor Catface]

When you are thin on defense then other areas matter. The Oilers clearly have a below average defence and below average depth on RW. Comparing them to a Stanley Cup winner is pointless.

So yes...it matters.

I get this need to believe that everything is fine but unfortunately reality contradicts that.

This isnt a playoff team...it should be unless you and others are content with this team setting an NHL record for missing the playoffs.

No, it's not pointless. The majority of teams have RW depth that duplicates ours.

The Wild? Niedderreiter, Pominville...then Fontaine and Jones.

The Kings? After 22 point Gaborik and Dustin Brown, who do they have?

The Ducks? Their 3rd RW was Stewart, who had 8 goals.

RW depth really doesn't matter much. The typical pattern for most NHL teams is two strong, then fillers.

My issue isn't the RW depth, which doesn't have much affect. It's rushing Jesse, when Versteeg could have taken that place.

I never said "everything was fine." Don't talk down.

 

[McXLNC97]

You are correct, but they're in no way better than any of the California teams. They might be better than Arizona and Vancouver, but that's it.

California teams are all on the decline. Look at the age of a lot of the Sharks top guys...Thornton and Marleau 37, Martin 35, Pavelski 32, etc.....this is a team coming off a very short off season, so not much rest for a lot of them. Ducks are missing key players and who knows when they will get back. Kings...no big additions, still have Dustin Brown...and the bottom 3 D is looking pretty weak for them. I could easily see 2 of the 3 Cali teams miss.

 

[oilinblood]

You are correct, but they're in no way better than any of the California teams. They might be better than Arizona and Vancouver, but that's it.

LOL. look at CGYs roster. The O is atrocious. Yes they have a great top 2 D but the new head wantsw to split them and shackle each with a pylon.

we will see

 

[Bryanbryoil]

This is really simple.
Look at the roster...RW and defence are issues. Fix that and this is a playoff team regardless of what happened last season.

Klefbom-Larsson (passable 1st pairing)
Sekera-Russell (#3D and #4/5D) (passable 2nd pairing)
Nurse-Davidson (if Davidson does well on RD it's a passable 3rd pairing)

None of those pairings are great although I really like our top pairing, but they are far from as bad as they've been in the past. A passable defense combined with an above average group of forwards and an above average goaltender should mean that we challenge for a playoff spot IMO.

 

[guymez]

So Russell is a 3rd pairing guy in your opinion? IMO if you have only 2 holes on your team and they aren't top pairing defense or #1 center you're in pretty damn good shape as a team.

Yes...Russel is a good bottom pairing dman who can play the PP and the PK. So playing him too high up on the depth chart is an issue. Thats what the Flames did when Giordano got hurt and it wasnt pretty.

I also dont like that Russel is being played on his off side which historically has been an issue for him.

In terms of RW this team needs a solid vet. An argument could be made that Versteeg isnt that player and thats fine IMO.
It still needs to be addressed.

You add a player like Trouba (solid 2nd pairing RD) to this team and its very close to being a playoff team IMO without even addressing the RW position. Add a vet RW as well and IMO this is a playoff team.
Full stop.

 

[guymez]

No, it's not pointless. The majority of teams have RW depth that duplicates ours.

The Wild? Niedderreiter, Pominville...then Fontaine and Jones.

The Kings? After 22 point Gaborik and Dustin Brown, who do they have?

The Ducks? Their 3rd RW was Stewart, who had 8 goals.

RW depth really doesn't matter much. The typical pattern for most NHL teams is two strong, then fillers.

My issue isn't the RW depth, which doesn't have much affect. It's rushing Jesse, when Versteeg could have taken that place.

I never said "everything was fine." Don't talk down.

So you post all this and simply ignore my main point?

 

[oilinblood]

No, it's not pointless. The majority of teams have RW depth that duplicates ours.

The Wild? Niedderreiter, Pominville...then Fontaine and Jones.

The Kings? After 22 point Gaborik and Dustin Brown, who do they have?

The Ducks? Their 3rd RW was Stewart, who had 8 goals.

RW depth really doesn't matter much. The typical pattern for most NHL teams is two strong, then fillers.

My issue isn't the RW depth, which doesn't have much affect. It's rushing Jesse, when Versteeg could have taken that place.

I never said "everything was fine." Don't talk down.

Sutter team...they have pillows fdor our heads as they try to put us to sleep. I cant watch that team. I used to have an impossible time watching anaheim and thats likely returned with Carlyle.

SJ will be the only Cali games i will watch (on the road). i just prefer living my life than wasting it watching a boring game. Cali trip will be 1 exciting and two snoozes.

Id rather watch Carrottop flex than watch a sutter or carlyle team. ewwww If the Oilers can set the pace in those games...maybe they can make them exciting. But i expect the team should be aware that they need to grind those games. Kass will play higher in those games.

 

[Bryanbryoil]

Yea...Russel is a good bottom pairing dman who can play the PP and the PK. So playing him too high up on the depth chart is an issue. Thats what the Flames did when Giordano got hurt and it wasnt pretty.

I also dont like that Russel is being played on his off side which historically has been an issue for him.

In terms of RW this team needs a solid vet. An argument could be made that Versteeg isnt that player and thats fine IMO.
It still needs to be addressed.

You add a player like Trouba (solid 2nd pairing RD) to this team and its very close to being a playoff team IMO without even addressing the RW position. Add a vet RW as well and IMO this is a playoff team.
Full stop.

He played a lot more than 3rd pairing minutes in Calgary IIRC. I don't know how capable he is on the right side yet but it can't be much worse than Fayne IMO.

Trouba alone makes this a playoff team. Kassian IIRC was a 3rd line RW on a playoff team not all that long ago, maybe he still has it in him? He definitely got quicker this offseason.

 

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

LOL. look at CGYs roster. The O is atrocious. Yes they have a great top 2 D but the new head wantsw to split them and shackle each with a pylon.

we will see

That team will live and die by their top line. Calgary right now is better but I wouldn't put them much further ahead of the Oilers.

California teams are all on the decline. Look at the age of a lot of the Sharks top guys...Thornton and Marleau 37, Martin 35, Pavelski 32, etc.....this is a team coming off a very short off season, so not much rest for a lot of them. Ducks are missing key players and who knows when they will get back. Kings...no big additions, still have Dustin Brown...and the bottom 3 D is looking pretty weak for them. I could easily see 2 of the 3 Cali teams miss.

Sharks and Kings are still better because of the key players they have. Anaheim is definitely a ? this season but they're still a strong team and they can turn around a season very quickly. Carlyle is the big X-Factor there.

 

[King1s]

Can't wait for Eberle to be injured. Maybe then these chiaturd fanboys will finally admit that the idiot needs to be fired.

 

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

Can't wait for Eberle to be injured. Maybe then these chiaturd fanboys will finally admit that the idiot needs to be fired.

I don't even know where to start with this post. Prior to last season Eberle missed 9 games in 4 seasons.

And why are you wishing for Eberle to get hurt? That's just wrong man.

 

[King1s]

I don't even know where to start with this post. Prior to last season Eberle missed 9 games in 4 seasons.

And why are you wishing for Eberle to get hurt? That's just wrong man.

No, I don't wish him to be injured. I am quite sure he will be injured as he is our only decentish(hate the player) right winger now. It is just bound to happen.

 

[guymez]

So Russell is a 3rd pairing guy in your opinion? IMO if you have only 2 holes on your team and they aren't top pairing defense or #1 center you're in pretty damn good shape as a team.

Thats an oversimplification IMO.
In terms of the defence they dont have a #1 dman. They might have a pair of #2's but the jury is still out on that. Time will tell but IMO its a good bet.
Sekera is a solid #3/4 dman. Thats why adding a solid #3/4 like Trouba would be great add.
That gives the team a very solid top 4 which often times compensates for not having a #1 dman.
That pushes Russell down to the 3rd pairing unless there are injuries. Thats what a good defence with depth accomplishes.

 

[La Bamba]

Can't wait for Eberle to be injured. Maybe then these chiaturd fanboys will finally admit that the idiot needs to be fired.

Chia's literally entering his 2nd year as Oiler GM after a year of evaluating his roster. He inherited a poorly structure franchise with Ben Scrivens as the starter and Schultz as the #1D. I'd say we've come a long way.

It's this type of mind set that sets the Oilers back.. Like firing a coach/person every fricking year and having no consistency in the organization.

 

[Bryanbryoil]

Can't wait for Eberle to be injured. Maybe then these chiaturd fanboys will finally admit that the idiot needs to be fired.

Or we push for a playoff spot and you realize that maybe just maybe that he's done a good job. In the meantime grab your Eberle voodoo doll just so you can say "told you so" since that apparently would bring you more joy than watching the team win some games. To each their own.

 

[cbzblaze]

Versteeg would have been nice, but it's not that big a deal as people are making it out to be. PAP, I feel is pretty much negative value, no need for floaters in the lineup.

I believe Pulju will stay up for 4-5 games, if he struggles then they send him down. No big deal.
We have players like Kassian, pitlick, slepy, khaira who all bring energy & physicality to the lineup. Yes versteeg and PAP are veteran players but they have there fair share of flaws too.

Plus Hendricks will be back in a month. People talking like this non-signing is going to kill our season are seriously overreacting.