I mean, it's the same exact question marks they had going into last season. This isn't anything new.
Ceci was more established so we knew what we had in him but they had to get his salary off the books and take the chance on bringing in somebody different with a different dimension that might have more upside. Options were limited, cap is limited until it accrues so I have no problem with how Jackson/Bowman played this and I think people will see in time that it was the right move to move on from Ceci, not overpay Desharnais and bring in different types of Dmen.
Bottom line is that the Oilers were limited with Ceci and Desharnais, at least with Emberson and accrued cap space (which they wouldn't have had with Ceci and Desharnais here), there's room for growth.
Definitely been noticeable when I've watched. He stands out. Confident with puck and making plays. He's taking on defenders and beating people with moves. In the Calgary game one sequence the Oilers changed lines and Savoie still gained line and evaded all the Flames defenders. So notable an Ohhhhhhh shot up from the Calgary crowd. All kinds of confidence. In other games he's been able to pick opponents and start cycle. Reminds me of Nuge on the PP. His passing, reads, where to go with puck is very good.Question for Oilers fans, as someone who followed the Ice a lot and am a fan of Savoie, how has he looked in camp?
I'm going to the game tomorrow
I really hope they ice a half decent team
Most wanted an upgrade on Ceci, we didn’t get that.Oiler fans - trade ceci!
Also Oiler fans - our defense sucks without ceci
I think a more accurate description isOiler fans - trade ceci!
Also Oiler fans - our defense sucks without ceci
I think Emberson has the potential to be an upgrade on Ceci, but if he isn't, our dcore is quite a bit worse.I think a more accurate description is
Oiler fans - upgrade Ceci!
But I think you know that.
The reverse Versteeg?I would just sign Barrie, he looked pretty good in the game against Edmonton in Calgary.
It’ll be easier to add this year because it doesn’t need to be salary in/salary out since we aren’t Into LTIR for onceI think Emberson has the potential to be an upgrade on Ceci, but if he isn't, our dcore is quite a bit worse.
That said, if Nurse can bounce back to even close to the player he was a couple seasons ago, that would balance it out on its own.
Thankfully we can hopefully add one mid season.
Its true. On paper our defense core and depth is worse than it was last year with the potential to be just as good. For our d to be better we have to add a new player, but as long as we can make it to the deadline IN a good playoff spot we can wait. If the team struggles they just have to use the LTIR space at the expense at the deadline.It’ll be easier to add this year because it doesn’t need to be salary in/salary out since we aren’t Into LTIR for once
And it didn't make sense to do that in the off-season. The Oilers are trying to win a Championship this season and roster depth is necessary to do that.Most wanted an upgrade on Ceci, we didn’t get that.
The reverse Versteeg?
(correct me if I'm wrong but didn't he sign a PTO here then part way through preseason sign a NHL deal with the Flames?)
I think Emberson has the potential to be an upgrade on Ceci, but if he isn't, our dcore is quite a bit worse.
That said, if Nurse can bounce back to even close to the player he was a couple seasons ago, that would balance it out on its own.
Thankfully we can hopefully add one mid season.
Those people might not understand the salary cap then.Most wanted an upgrade on Ceci, we didn’t get that.
Canucks fan checking in - how does Podkolzin look? Is he making the team?
I think Emberson has the potential to be an upgrade on Ceci
Or those people might have preferred an upgrade on Ceci vs spending $10m on middle six forward upgrades.Those people might not understand the salary cap then.
The only way to upgrade on Ceci without subtracting from the roster, is waiting until the deadline when they have accrued cap space aka what they've explicitly said the plan is.
Canucks fan checking in - how does Podkolzin look? Is he making the team?
I can pretty much guarantee those same people would be whining about #2LW if they didn't sign someone like Skinner to address #2RD instead.Or those people might have preferred an upgrade on Ceci vs spending $10m on middle six forward upgrades.
Time will tell if this was the right move or not. But it’s not like there weren’t other ways to approach this offseason than the one the Oilers took.