Post-Game Talk: This is the end

[Frank the Tank]

It's OK to be sad right now. There are no guarantees of another chance in the NHL.

We all experienced in 2006 how quickly one's favorite team can go from Game 7 of the SCF to back in the pile of teams fighting for a playoff spot. We've all witnessed what happened with this Oilers core group after a promising run in 2017... the missed playoffs, the opening round blunders against Chicago and Winnipeg. Then when they finally gain some playoffs traction, we saw how they weren't ready to beat an elite Avs team in 2022, followed up by them being ready last year and this year, but coming up short in the end.

Like 2006, this will be a big summer with a core, HHOF level player letting us know whether he plans to stay or leave. The latter option will cascade through the roster and likely mean a rebuild of the core may be on horizon nearer than we hoped. Regardless, Jeff Jackson and the new GM will not have much time to wallow; their work begins today.

 

[mkatcherin00]

I honestly think he was shitting on his team a bit but said it horribly.
I read it as, "I can't even imagine the pain of losing of losing in game 7 of the cup finals cause my team has never been close, but I am glad you guys have a team that could even get you there."

I kind of thought that too lol. Think we misunderstood it

 

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

It's OK to be sad right now. There are no guarantees of another chance in the NHL.

We all experienced in 2006 how quickly one's favorite team can go from Game 7 of the SCF to back in the pile of teams fighting for a playoff spot. We've all witnessed what happened with this Oilers core group after a promising run in 2017... the missed playoffs, the opening round blunders against Chicago and Winnipeg. Then when they finally gain some playoffs traction, we saw how they weren't ready to beat an elite Avs team in 2022, followed up by them being ready last year and this year, but coming up short in the end.

Like 2006, this will be a big summer with a core, HHOF level player letting us know whether he plans to stay or leave. The latter option will cascade through the roster and likely mean a rebuild of the core may be on horizon nearer than we hoped. Regardless, Jeff Jackson and the new GM will not have much time to wallow; their work begins today.

2006 honestly hurt a lot more than this did, especially given the aftermath. We absolutely can make it back next year. But there still need to be significant positive changes.

 

[Kaniac]

That had to be the absolute worst ice conditions in recent history. Home ice advantage was definitely on display last night.

It was all part of the plan, can't play fast Oiler hockey when you have to plow slush with the puck on your stick. They probably intentionally warmed the ice up to give the panthers more of an advantage with their boring ass hockey style.

I'm obviously not being serious, but the ice was absolute donkey ass. Hockey in June in Florida should be banned.

 

[Zerotonine]

7 min left in the 2nd Drai clearly gets his legs chopped down while we were on the cycle for 2 minutes strait, no call, then Florida scores 2.5 min later. Then all 3rd Florida gets away with everything.

We weren't doing fk all on the PP anyways. I knew the refs were gonna put the whistle away this game. Between that and the quality of ice huge advantage Florida.

Also think knoblach in experience showed last game. He was definitely out coached last night. But home ice paid huge for Florida

We looked completely gased most of the game. We should if had some fresh legs inserted. Carrick and kane units he wasn't healthy enough.

Dunno will be alot of what it's for a long time.....

 

[Ibanez]

It was all part of the plan, can't play fast Oiler hockey when you have to plow slush with the puck on your stick. They probably intentionally warmed the ice up to give the panthers more of an advantage with their boring ass hockey style.

I'm obviously not being serious, but the ice was absolute donkey ass. Hockey in June in Florida should be banned.

Really the league needs to start a month earlier.

 

[WaitingForUser]

Tin foil hat on for this one probably just still upset. But something just doesn’t sit right with me about how this all played out. In 2006 the team made a Cinderella run getting all the way to game 7. Game 7 it was like everyone just stopped playing. I chalk it up to having nothing left in the tank. Fast forward to 2024 team makes it game 7 and almost the identical scenario plays out minus the empty net goal. Now I’m not saying that sports are 100 percent scripted but at this point you have to wonder. How do two teams 18 years apart have almost exactly the same thing happen in game 7 for some of them being their last chance at a cup? Does anyone else here start to wonder if it’s all smoke and mirrors and the players follow a script? I know again its probably just the hurt talking

 

[CycloneSweep]

It's OK to be sad right now. There are no guarantees of another chance in the NHL.

We all experienced in 2006 how quickly one's favorite team can go from Game 7 of the SCF to back in the pile of teams fighting for a playoff spot. We've all witnessed what happened with this Oilers core group after a promising run in 2017... the missed playoffs, the opening round blunders against Chicago and Winnipeg. Then when they finally gain some playoffs traction, we saw how they weren't ready to beat an elite Avs team in 2022, followed up by them being ready last year and this year, but coming up short in the end.

Like 2006, this will be a big summer with a core, HHOF level player letting us know whether he plans to stay or leave. The latter option will cascade through the roster and likely mean a rebuild of the core may be on horizon nearer than we hoped. Regardless, Jeff Jackson and the new GM will not have much time to wallow; their work begins today.

The rough part is we don't even have a GM right now. We will probably go thru the draft with Jeff/Holland making the calls and free agency will be Jeff alone. It such an important offseason and we won't even have a guy properly in charge.
Although anything could happen in the next couple days.

 

[DrDrai]

Maurice said it. They had to lose 3 to learn to win 4.
Florida had nerves being 1 win away from the cup. But they were able to overcome them by failing 3 times in a row.
This was Edmontons FIRST chance of actually winning the cup and the nerves go to them like they did Florida. But Florida had the advantage of working out those nerves over 3 games.

I personally don't believe that crap. Losing to win is a cop out for teams, you should hate to lose a single regular season game as much as any game.

You know what is required to win, you either show up or you don't.

 

[Little Fury]

I'm obviously not being serious, but the ice was absolute donkey ass. Hockey in Florida should be banned.

ftfy

 

[Ibanez]

McDavid is 27 in his first cup final, will be 28 soon.
Gretzky was 22 when he lost his first cup final and 23 when he won it all. 4 cups by he was 28
Lemieux won his first cup at 25, second at 26.
Crosby was 20 when he lost his first cup final, 21 when he won his first cup, He won his second 2 at 28/29 but he was on a team friendly deal to do so.

These lessons are learned much earlier in their careers than McDavid is now. 2 of them were pre cap as well.

This is the most important offseason in McDavids career. This group as it is now probably can't make it back (we can't ignore everything that happened in the playoffs to get us here) so they have to have a great offseason to set us up better.

We need some tweaks for sure. We just have to hope we have a GM that can get the job done.

I wonder when that is going to be announced. One would think very soon?

 

[Oilhawks]

Half the Arena was empty because those were Oilers fans not sticking around to see the wrong club hoist the cup, Just saying. heh

Oilers fans travel well and made up half the crowd in game 7. Even go to hear some Oilers chants.

True, which also means that half of their “diehards” / “Tier 1” fans gave up and sold their tickets expecting them to lose last night. Which is pretty much the same thing. Pathetic fairweather fanbase that would have completely collapsed if their team completed the historic choke. As it is they probably have half empty stands in a season or two after the novelty wears off

Their boards were like the DoD boards here times ten in utter hopelessness, trashing their own team and just utter negativity. I get it, but it was literally every poster with that kind of verbal. It was like an echo chamber filled with the half dozen permanently sad posters we have here that I won’t name but everyone knows who I mean.

 

[CycloneSweep]

True, which also means that half of their “diehards” / “Tier 1” fans gave up and sold their tickets expecting them to lose last night. Which is pretty much the same thing. Pathetic fairweather fanbase that would have completely collapsed if their team completed the historic choke. As it is they probably have half empty stands in a season or two after the novelty wears off

At the same time, as much as I love this team, if I could make a few thousand bucks watching the game in a bar instead, I might do that lol

 

[Yablo21]

I personally don't believe that crap. Losing to win is a cop out for teams, you should hate to lose a single regular season game as much as any game.

You know what is required to win, you either show up or you don't

Total BS, they were so lucky they were not down 2 after the 2nd.

 

[bellagiobob]

You likely will still watch but the perspective will change as we get older. Age does weird things. Hard for your team not to be your team, but after years and years of watching I think most people change how they choose to consume the sport. And even in losses learn how to enjoy the journey more

I’m in my 60’s, and thoroughly enjoyed the journey this year, but the loss still stings as bad as it did in 2006, maybe more. Age and experience has reduced my passion for the league in general, mainly due to the incompetence of its leadership, but the passion for my team is the same. But everyone’s journey is different, age not being the determinate factor for all, like all things in life each of us has things that we tend to rank as to what we give our heart and soul to. Obviously family, etc are first, but the Oilers are right up there in the next level, and likely always will be for me. Like anything you love in life, the highs are higher in the good moments, and are more devastating in the low moments. Thats the price one pays if you want to be an all in passionate sports fan. Days like today really hurt and question if it’s all worth it, but while we never really get over the loss, the lure of another chance next year draws us back in. Such is the joy/curse of being an all in Oiler fan.

 

[elmeroil]

That's what he is. We need a better goalie and tandem. He shit the bed on that goal.

That shouldn't have even been a shot if Kulak doesn't give him all day to shoot that. I was so hard on Skinner this year but blaming Skinner there makes 0 sense.

 

[StreetHawk]

McDavid is 27 in his first cup final, will be 28 soon.
Gretzky was 22 when he lost his first cup final and 23 when he won it all. 4 cups by he was 28
Lemieux won his first cup at 25, second at 26.
Crosby was 20 when he lost his first cup final, 21 when he won his first cup, He won his second 2 at 28/29 but he was on a team friendly deal to do so.

These lessons are learned much earlier in their careers than McDavid is now. 2 of them were pre cap as well.

This is the most important offseason in McDavids career. This group as it is now probably can't make it back (we can't ignore everything that happened in the playoffs to get us here) so they have to have a great offseason to set us up better.

Mack won in his 10th season. But, he had Rant, Makar, Landy, Nuke, Toews with him. Not a great goalie, but they got the job done.

Edm in a tough spot with limited prospects. A lot of draft capital went to obtain Ekholm which has been a very good trade. But, dumped assets to move off Kassian and Henrique was more of a meh acquisition in the end. Holloway and Xavier B have to delivery up front and Broberg on the backend.

Can they hit on a couple of veteran low cost free agents like FLA has over the Zito era?

 

[Oilhawks]

Said the exact same shit about Hyman right after we signed him. This was about the year he was supposed to start regressing and his playstyle would ultimately slow him down.

Guy scored 54.

Comparing Draisaitl to Clarkson is a complete f***ing joke. What is this post even? The guy had one 30 goal season his entire career and fought to crack 20 points for the remainder of it.

Ah well, that poster thinks Hyman is a goal suck or whatever, so will probably disagree with your comparison to Hyman or even say “yeah exactly, he’ll fall off and become like Hyman”

That poster seems to be quite familiar with the underside of bridges, if you catch my drift

 

[Duder54]

I get that last night's game is still a fresh wound, but looking at the poll, I really don't see how anyone can view this season as anything but a success overall, especially given the way the season began.

Now begins the work of making the necessary changes to ensure they have a shot at getting back to the Final again next year and for years to come. Certainly won't be an easy task, especially not with some of the contracts on the roster.

 

[Little Fury]

I get that last night's game is still a fresh wound, but looking at the poll, I really don't see how anyone can view this season as anything but a success overall, especially given the way the season began.

Cup or bust.

 

[guymez]

Tin foil hat on for this one probably just still upset. But something just doesn’t sit right with me about how this all played out. In 2006 the team made a Cinderella run getting all the way to game 7. Game 7 it was like everyone just stopped playing. I chalk it up to having nothing left in the tank. Fast forward to 2024 team makes it game 7 and almost the identical scenario plays out minus the empty net goal. Now I’m not saying that sports are 100 percent scripted but at this point you have to wonder. How do two teams 18 years apart have almost exactly the same thing happen in game 7 for some of them being their last chance at a cup? Does anyone else here start to wonder if it’s all smoke and mirrors and the players follow a script? I know again its probably just the hurt talking

You arent the only person who has questioned the integrity of the game.
There are a lot of WTF moments that just leave you scratching your head.

 

[Balakay14]

Well gotta say it hurts more this morning, thinking about how long we've waited to see them in a cup final again for it to be the same result, and for the boys to unfortunately not play their best game, but it all probably caught up to them, just too much to overcome. Really thought we were going to see one of those absolutely historic sports moments, but instead heartbreak.

I sure hope whoever the new GM is, is someone who's actually suited for the modern NHL because it's going to take a lot of good work to keep this team playing at a high level. Likely going to see a very different bottom 6 / bottom 9 next year even if they create some additional cap space with a Campbell buyout and a Ceci trade, etc. Hard to do, but the team is going to have to hit on more second and third round picks and properly work them into the group as those value contracts are so massive in today's NHL. Hopefully the cap is going up by 4 or 5 million each year though with the US national TV deals and then the Canadian national TV deals coming into play in 2026 I believe, would certainly help the Oilers if the cap can grow significantly each year.

So tough to make it here and there's no guarantees they make it back, but hopefully they're like Chicago, Boston, LA, Pittsburgh, Vegas, Tampa or Florida, who all made multiple finals in a relatively "short" timespan.

 

[Oilers88]

The rough part is we don't even have a GM right now. We will probably go thru the draft with Jeff/Holland making the calls and free agency will be Jeff alone. It such an important offseason and we won't even have a guy properly in charge.
Although anything could happen in the next couple days.

It really makes me wonder about how hockey ops is being run going forward. When Jackson was first hired, it sounded like he was essentially the new Nicholson, and his main job was hiring a Holland replacement and being a liaison to ownership. However, Jackson has made a lot of longer term decisions. Knoblauch got a three year deal, and Jackson also hired a director of analytics and a new scouting director. Now Seravalli has been talking about "the organization" already working on deals for Janmark and Draisaitl. That begs the question of who exactly is doing all of this?

I'm feeling more and more like Jackson will be involved in all big decisions, and the new GM is isn't going to be in charge the way Holland or Chiarelli were previously. This feels more like Calgary under Treiliving and Burke, or Toronto with Shanahan/Dubas. The GM will do the day to day work and have some transactional autonomy, but bigger picture issues and organizational hires will ultimately be Jackson's call.

That probably impacts who we will be able to hire. A lot of GM candidates want total autonomy over their hockey ops department. Coming into a team where you can't pick your coaching staff, scouting director, assistant GMs, etc, is a different animal. At this point I wouldn't be surprised to hear that Gretzky or Holland get the bump to GM and business carries on as usual.

 

[McBigYak]

Ah well, that poster thinks Hyman is a goal suck or whatever, so will probably disagree with your comparison to Hyman or even say “yeah exactly, he’ll fall off and become like Hyman”

That poster seems to be quite familiar with the underside of bridges, if you catch my drift

Yeah the Draisaitl/Clarkson comparison gave that one away haha.

 

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

Cup or bust.

Turns out winning the Stanley Cup is incredibly hard and requires everything to go right.