Speculation: What do the Oilers need to do to take the next step?
- Thread starter McSuper
- Start date
Leaf fans have very high confidence on Zaitzev, but the game I see last year in KHL he was no better than Philip Larsen, a player Oilers gave away very cheap. Why ?
Leaf fan here.
I don't have faith in Zaitsev.
I think we will be really lucky if he plays good enough to stay in the bottom pairing.
Move one of Eberle or Yakupov. Just to be rid of them. Go back and not trade Taylor Hall for a #2/3 defenseman.
They just need to stay healthy this year.
The roster is far more balanced now and even though they could still use one PP QB d-man, otherwise the D is now a lot more competent. Larsson is a very solid player entering his prime and Klefbom hopefully not missing 2/3rds of the season effectively adds an entire d-pairing to the team.
The forward group is among the deepest and more talented in the NHL, even while losing Hall they added in Lucic and Puljujarvi. It's an embarrassment of riches upfront.
But the biggest difference is the team is now huge too ... probably one of the biggest in the Western Conference actually, the additions of Lucic, Maroon, Kassian, Puljuarjvi, and Larsson on the back end for a full season will change how the team plays IMO.
They are much harder to play against now, much more sandpaper.
Oh yeah and that McDavid kid ... is only going to get better. My theory with talents like him is the rookie season is just basically them playing off pure talent. The second/third years are where they really begin to control the actual flow of the game. Seen this with Crosby too, you haven't seen nothing yet with McDavid. This year is when his impact will really begin to be felt.
The roster is far more balanced now and even though they could still use one PP QB d-man, otherwise the D is now a lot more competent. Larsson is a very solid player entering his prime and Klefbom hopefully not missing 2/3rds of the season effectively adds an entire d-pairing to the team.
The forward group is among the deepest and more talented in the NHL, even while losing Hall they added in Lucic and Puljujarvi. It's an embarrassment of riches upfront.
But the biggest difference is the team is now huge too ... probably one of the biggest in the Western Conference actually, the additions of Lucic, Maroon, Kassian, Puljuarjvi, and Larsson on the back end for a full season will change how the team plays IMO.
They are much harder to play against now, much more sandpaper.
Oh yeah and that McDavid kid ... is only going to get better. My theory with talents like him is the rookie season is just basically them playing off pure talent. The second/third years are where they really begin to control the actual flow of the game. Seen this with Crosby too, you haven't seen nothing yet with McDavid. This year is when his impact will really begin to be felt.
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Klefbom is key. Kid can flat out play hockey in all phases. Him staying healthy is critical to the Oilers success. I hate the Oilers, but I have tons of time for Klefbom. Twice the player that Larsson is, he's just been a bandaid to this point. He could be an elite defenseman if he can stay healthy long enough to develop in a linear fashion.
Warden of the North
Ned Stark's head
Need more D.
Im also not entirely sold on Talbot as a genuine starter. A really good 1B goalie would be the next thing on my list
Im also not entirely sold on Talbot as a genuine starter. A really good 1B goalie would be the next thing on my list
I think all the right peices are put into place for the oil. It's all about playing now.
About a week before the Hall trade to NJ, I was going to create a post to the effect of shipping out one of their higher end offensive trade chips for defensive help. I was literally shocked when I heard the trade went down, as me and Chia were obviously thinking on the same wavelength. lol.
Growing up playing different sports at high levels (on too many crap teams), I think I can confidently say that for the Oilers' players, for every year the new "saviour" was walking in the room, no one knew where they stood. From hall, nuge, yak, hell even Dallas Eakins, there was always "someone else" that was going to be joining the room to be the guy, and quite frankly that's not how winning teams are built.
I think we will now start to see a turn around as it's pretty easy to see where everyone stands. The oil have their #1 franchise C with a grinding wingman for him in Lucic, a decent d core, a number 1 goalie and a bunch of other peices that can be plugged in all over the forward lines. It's all about getting time in together and actually growing as a team, under the same coach for a number of years. Even if Wilson is not the right choice for HC going forward, it will be prudent for the group to have that structure and for everyone to have and know their role.
While trading Hall for Larsson wouldn't have been my first choice for a move, I can say I respect what chia has tried to start in Edmonton. I think the team either makes the playoffs next year or is right on the outside looking in which will be great for the team, the fans and the NHL.
Sorry if this post is all over the place, took a few hits to the head over the years playing all those sports lol. Cheers.
About a week before the Hall trade to NJ, I was going to create a post to the effect of shipping out one of their higher end offensive trade chips for defensive help. I was literally shocked when I heard the trade went down, as me and Chia were obviously thinking on the same wavelength. lol.
Growing up playing different sports at high levels (on too many crap teams), I think I can confidently say that for the Oilers' players, for every year the new "saviour" was walking in the room, no one knew where they stood. From hall, nuge, yak, hell even Dallas Eakins, there was always "someone else" that was going to be joining the room to be the guy, and quite frankly that's not how winning teams are built.
I think we will now start to see a turn around as it's pretty easy to see where everyone stands. The oil have their #1 franchise C with a grinding wingman for him in Lucic, a decent d core, a number 1 goalie and a bunch of other peices that can be plugged in all over the forward lines. It's all about getting time in together and actually growing as a team, under the same coach for a number of years. Even if Wilson is not the right choice for HC going forward, it will be prudent for the group to have that structure and for everyone to have and know their role.
While trading Hall for Larsson wouldn't have been my first choice for a move, I can say I respect what chia has tried to start in Edmonton. I think the team either makes the playoffs next year or is right on the outside looking in which will be great for the team, the fans and the NHL.
Sorry if this post is all over the place, took a few hits to the head over the years playing all those sports lol. Cheers.
Vatican Roulette
Baile de Los Locos
He's not twice the player. They are equally skilled at this point.
They could however make a really solid pairing in the future.
Not sure they should be put together from the get go though. If the team does not mech and deliver, a tremendous weight will be on their shoulders.
Edmonton could really use a vet D minute eater. Someone like Beauchemin would bea good guy to learn from.
syz
[1, 5, 6, 14]
- Jul 13, 2007
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Beauchemin got his ass kicked last year and provides nothing by way of offense.
What do the Oilers need? A PMD at least as skilled as Barrie or Spurgeon, or a massive leap forward from one of their defensive prospects.
Hunter368
RIP lomiller1, see you in the next life buddy.
- Nov 8, 2011
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Perhaps in your or the Oilers eyes, but before we ever give up assets we would want someone who had more then one ok partial season. We have our own partial season wonder named Chariot who since then has shown his true colors. We'll sell you Chariot, good deal for our "quality top 4 D".
Pass on Davidson. You wouldn't want to know what the I would give up for him. He hasn't proven anything more then Chariot who likely is only worth a 6th or 7th round pick.
Zero interest in Davidson
GirardSpinorama
Registered User
- Aug 20, 2004
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Klefbom is good but lol, no way is he twice the player Larsson is, Larsson is probably defensively a bit better right now and has a better outlet pass, Klefbom is a better skater. They will both be very good defenders for a lot of years though.
Getting a staph infection is just a freak fluke, it doesn't make one a "band-aid" either. That could happen to anyone. If it was a concussion or some kind of reoccuring knee problem or something, ok, I'd agree with that, but a staph infection is just a freak occurrence.
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syz
[1, 5, 6, 14]
- Jul 13, 2007
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The former is untrue (worst Corsi REL among regular Avs defensemen) and the latter could be said about my grandmother. Add in the fact that he's only going to get worse at 36 and the Oilers would find themselves re-elected as the mayors of Ferenceville if they brought him in.
Trapper
Registered User
- Nov 21, 2013
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We have no idea until we see him play. If and how he fits.
Which is why we should be in the market to acquire a solid RHD partner for Rielly. Our primary area of need.
DANOZ28
Registered User
well from this thread it appears oil fans believe they have a solid defense , we'll all find out this year. my guess is next summer they will be searching to upgrade 1 or 2 spots. not sure what more needs to be said.
Not sure that is the case . We had some D take real solid steps forward last year . All Oiler fans agree we need 1 more RHD that is a PMD . Nothing you can do if none are available . If we have to start the season with what we have we are fine with it and if those D that took a step forward last year continue to improve our D will be better then most think it will be
JarvisFunk
Registered User
Yeah on that team he is. On most other NHL teams he would be a 5th/6th
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