agree
- AlEx_OiL

Why not? Age?Cap Hit? I think he would still be an upgrade over Gagner for the next few years and it would take care of all that "too small" talk.
He wouldn't be expected to the man up here, just to provide some offense in the 60-70 point range and make room for Yakapov.I think a MPS-Thornton-Yakapov line would be sick.

There are other options for potential UFA's in 2014 in Datsyuk, Malkin and Bergeron but I don't see any of those teams looking to move core roster players anytime soon.

Why not? Age?Cap Hit? I think he would still be an upgrade over Gagner for the next few years and it would take care of all that "too small" talk.
He wouldn't be expected to the man up here, just to provide some offense in the 60-70 point range and make room for Yakapov.I think a MPS-Thornton-Yakapov line would be sick.

There are other options for potential UFA's in 2014 in Datsyuk, Malkin and Bergeron but I don't see any of those teams looking to move core roster players anytime soon.
- Jeropotato

Jumbo Joe is the perfect player to help teach young players how to win and play in clutch situations.

Ehh, I don't see the cap troubles line.
a) I don't see Nuge getting 6 million in a years' time, short of throwing up a monster season. Ditto for Yaks in two year's time.
b) I don't see Gagner get 5 million in cap hit, if they sign him longterm.
c) Even if they do, That's not incomparable to other teams who have 30 million wrapped up in six key guys. That's not an inherent team structuring problem; it's only a problem if those guys can't lead us to victory, which is kind of the gambit of the whole rebuild anyway.
d) Plus the cap not budging during the next two years seems like a problem they'd have in re-signing the players, not filling out the depth of the roster. Or are you saying the cap will be at 64.3 for 3+ years?
- Morris

I think we can afford alot more than others state on here... for starters we dont have anyone priced in the 8-10mill category... we can resign Schultz, Nuge and Yaks for that 5-5.5 mill/per price as their stats simply dont warrant anything more further Hall makes 6 and no one will get more than that IMO

I meant someone of his type. Sorry (frank)er. EDM'd be better off signing Komisarek, Finger, and Connolly to solve their problems.
- TheNugeIsHuge

Haha the Leafs are going to be in the playoffs this year and not one of those guys is on the roster. Great chirp though

I see the Oilers coming in 9th. Clouts said it himself you have to go something like 8-2. That's not easy.

Another thing, Clouts, why do you want another forward? Do really think that J Schultz and Smid solidify your defense? I would say get the best dman available. And build your backend.
- Captain_Quiffe

That wont happen- did you see the remaining schedule??

Why not? Age?Cap Hit? I think he would still be an upgrade over Gagner for the next few years and it would take care of all that "too small" talk.
He wouldn't be expected to the man up here, just to provide some offense in the 60-70 point range and make room for Yakapov.I think a MPS-Thornton-Yakapov line would be sick.

There are other options for potential UFA's in 2014 in Datsyuk, Malkin and Bergeron but I don't see any of those teams looking to move core roster players anytime soon.
- Jeropotato

are you trading Gagner for Thornton?

Elias Lindholm is a quality prospect center, but he compares to Sam Gagner.

LOL, and Barkov would go 1st last year

are you trading Gagner for Thornton?
- AlEx_OiL

No, draft picks and prospects.Gagner would be traded for an upgrade on D.

I don't think Joe is the problem with San Jose in the playoff's.He has often been the goat, but it's somewhat unfair. Marleau is the bigger problem, or so says Jeremy Roenick, and I respect the opinion of an NHL veteran who was in the room more than any journalist,blogger or basement dwelling poster.

I just think that if we are going to get the best player in a trade coming to the Oilers, it will have to come a team that is 1) Preparing to lose a UFA, 2)Looking to get younger, 3)Looking to shed salary or 4) In the middle of a full fledged rebuild.

Not saying the Sharks are any of these things, but It's worth a phone call or a cup of coffee at the draft.

Jumbo Joe is the perfect player to help teach young players how to win and play in clutch situations.
- Reveen

Thornton is the definition of clutch... see resume: playoffs

No, draft picks and prospects.Gagner would be traded for an upgrade on D.

I don't think Joe is the problem with San Jose in the playoff's.He has often been the goat, but it's somewhat unfair. Marleau is the bigger problem, or so says Jeremy Roenick, and I respect the opinion of an NHL veteran who was in the room more than any journalist,blogger or basement dwelling poster.

I just think that if we are going to get the best player in a trade coming to the Oilers, it will have to come a team that is 1) Preparing to lose a UFA, 2)Looking to get younger, 3)Looking to shed salary or 4) In the middle of a full fledged rebuild.

Not saying the Sharks are any of these things, but It's worth a phone call or a cup of coffee at the draft.
- Jeropotato

Theres a Reason why Jumbo Joe got traded away from Boston.

Thornton is the definition of clutch... see resume: playoffs
- saskoil21

Also see: Sedins (Hank & Dank)

so tired of listening to your stupid talk of tanking... you should tank and let someone else blog for the oilers... they havent won since you started... your the probelm...Idiot....

Theres a Reason why Jumbo Joe got traded away from Boston.
- AlEx_OiL

Part of it was salary...Harry Sinden was cheap bastard that made Sather and Lou look like high rollers.

Even if Joe is not the answer, should the Oilers look to the 2014 UFA class to add?

I am way too tired to read the blog right now, but if there is anyone on the team willing to lose for a better draft pick they should be sat and then traded or bought out. Same thing with management, anyone who suggests it should immediately be fired. Finishing bottom 5 would do a lot more damage to the psyche of this team than a top 5 pick would help.
Also this team does not need more kids, it needs experienced players to help take the load off the kids. IMO to be a decent playoff threat add 1 top 6 winger with size, and 1 top pair defense man. (and Klefbom will likely not be that guy for a few years if ever)
Add to that the experience the team gets over the next 10 games chasing a playoff dream, and this team could be competing for the division lead.
- abware

Great post

Part of it was salary...Harry Sinden was cheap bastard that made Sather and Lou look like high rollers.

Even if Joe is not the answer, should the Oilers look to the 2014 UFA class to add?
- Jeropotato

For sure they need to get better Vets to play with the young Oilers if it's via UFA or trades,I do hope next season Yak is on the second line to stay because Hemsky is one of the Players that need to go.

Not ALL GM's...youre forgetting about the reckless morons that will overpay in the hope that the cap will still up.There is a reason why this league suffered through 3 work stoppages.
- Jeropotato

Ya, but limited cap space available. There might be a few offer sheets out there, but for the most part RFA's aren't going to cash in like they want to.

Where's laughs? Did he finally get a life of sorts?

Where's laughs? Did he finally get a life of sorts?
- nayefj

Working at Target.

Oilers Blogger Guidelines:

Win one game = STANLEY CUP
Lose 2 games = TANK THE SEASON
- nuckout

mind blown

Thornton is the definition of clutch... see resume: playoffs
- saskoil21

Okay, I can live with Oilers fans being cold on Joe as an option.
But what are Oilers fans exactly wanting Tambo to do to improve this team.Lets say we do okay and finish anywhere between 11th and 7th in the west and draft in the middle somewhere. What are our "realistic" trade options? I'm not talking about what you were able to accomplish on NHL 13, what realistically can Tambo do? You have to consider the lack of depth at whatever position we are trading away, so any player that goes needs to replaced.The Bolded players occupy a depth position, where possibly either can be traded and filled internally.

Hall-Nuge- Ebs
MPS-Gagner-Yakapov,Hemsky
Hartikainen-Horcoff-Jones

Petry-J.Schultz
N.Schultz-Smid
Whitney,Potter,Teubert,Kleffbom,Teddy Peckman,Fedun,Fistric.

2013 mid 1st round pick, 2 seconds
Jr.Prospects
Future Draft Picks.

These are our tradeable assets.
The non highlighted players can be traded, but there is no on the roster ready to replace them. I cringe at the prospect of trading Yak if the plan is for Hemsky to stay on as 2RW.I also think it would be foolish to move Kleffbom in an effort to improve the team, but it could happen.

So there you have it.A bunch of Jr.Players, draft picks,bottom pairing defensemen and 4th liners. How do we turn those into players that can help the team now?

are you trading Gagner for Thornton?
- AlEx_OiL

No it must be Hemsky for Thornton and a first rounder.

Okay, I can live with Oilers fans being cold on Joe as an option.
But what are Oilers fans exactly wanting Tambo to do to improve this team.Lets say we do okay and finish anywhere between 11th and 7th in the west and draft in the middle somewhere. What are our "realistic" trade options? I'm not talking about what you were able to accomplish on NHL 13, what realistically can Tambo do? You have to consider the lack of depth at whatever position we are trading away, so any player that goes needs to replaced.The Bolded players occupy a depth position, where possibly either can be traded and filled internally.

Hall-Nuge- Ebs
MPS-Gagner-Yakapov,Hemsky
Hartikainen-Horcoff-Jones

Petry-J.Schultz
N.Schultz-Smid
Whitney,Potter,Teubert,Kleffbom,Teddy Peckman,Fedun,Fistric.

2013 mid 1st round pick, 2 seconds
Jr.Prospects
Future Draft Picks.

These are our tradeable assets.
The non highlighted players can be traded, but there is no on the roster ready to replace them. I cringe at the prospect of trading Yak if the plan is for Hemsky to stay on as 2RW.I also think it would be foolish to move Kleffbom in an effort to improve the team, but it could happen.

So there you have it.A bunch of Jr.Players, draft picks,bottom pairing defensemen and 4th liners. How do we turn those into players that can help the team now?
- Jeropotato

Shoot, I forgot all those 4th liners
Hordichuck,Smyth,Belanger,Lander,Petrel,Brown,Eager

Working at Target.
- Reveen

Is he a manager there already?

No it must be Hemsky for Thornton and a first rounder.
- hiway39

Read the whole thing.I'm not going to over value Hemsky.I assume he's not going to get us much in trade.

Is he a manager there already?
- nayefj

Working in the ladies lingerie section.