Ian is sitting back in his lazy boy rocker in his spidey shorts and thinking " See Ek I am top three "
- VANTEL

Simpsons shorts on Saturdays

For the record I don't see edm doing anything more then last yr until they get a high end veteran presense. If that means over paying through UFA or trade then so be it
- Bieksa#3

They mostly need to shore up their bottom six and get a top-end defenseman to complement one of Petry or Schultz. Whether that Dman be a veteran or not really shouldn't play too much of a role, but there are obvious advantages to adding the veteran presence. A guy like Yandle, Goligoski, a healthy Markov, or Brian Campbell to pair with Petry would be the direction I'd look. All big minute-eaters whose calling card is offense, but have experience playing the role of a #1 Dman.

This would also allow Schultz to get some softer minutes in his sophomore year, thus somewhat lessening the chances of him suffering a sophomore slump.

But that's just my opinion.

Simpsons shorts on Saturdays
- IanEsplen

E X C E L L E N T

They mostly need to shore up their bottom six and get a top-end defenseman to complement one of Petry or Schultz. Whether that Dman be a veteran or not really shouldn't play too much of a role, but there are obvious advantages to adding the veteran presence. A guy like Yandle, Goligoski, a healthy Markov, or Brian Campbell to pair with Petry would be the direction I'd look. All big minute-eaters whose calling card is offense, but have experience playing the role of a #1 Dman.

This would also allow Schultz to get some softer minutes in his sophomore year, thus somewhat lessening the chances of him suffering a sophomore slump.

But that's just my opinion.
- MaximumBone

I think next year Justing Schultz says WTF was I thinking I want to go to Vancouver .( OK now I am just trolling.)

For the record I don't see edm doing anything more then last yr until they get a high end veteran presense. If that means over paying through UFA or trade then so be it
- Bieksa#3

There's no question the oil have some serious deficiencies to shore up if they want to successful long term. and a vet top pairing guy would go a long way.
but the future maturation of the core kids is the single biggest factor in the oilers turning the corner.

It seems people forget how young they are.
Last year the core was 18, 19, 21 and two 22 year olds.
Two of them rookies.

How ready were the sedins or kesler at 21 to lead a team into the playoffs?
And ill wager none of them were as good at hall at that age

There's no question the oil have some serious deficiencies to shore up if they want to successful long term. and a vet top pairing guy would go a long way.
but the future maturation of the core kids is the single biggest factor in the oilers turning the corner.

It seems people forget how young they are.
Last year the core was 18, 19, 21 and two 22 year olds.
Two of them rookies.

How ready were the sedins or kesler at 21 to lead a team into the playoffs?
And ill wager none of them were as good at hall at that age
- hugefemale dog77

I don't deny that. But show me a team that has done it without a couple fairly high end vets to lead the way. Whether that's through overpayment via trade or Ufa.

I don't deny that. But show me a team that has done it without a couple fairly high end vets to lead the way. Whether that's through overpayment via trade or Ufa.
- Bieksa#3

There's no question that the oilers need at least one or two quality additions.

But i think mgmt is being conservative with the purse strings and the cap until theyre certain the oilers are in the cusp. If that ever even happens.
With so many young top end players, the cap needs to monitored carefully.

I actually think the goal is pereniall contender even more so than a cup if you will.
So much luck and timing goes into a championship, nobody can guaratee one regardless of strength of roster. Sll you can really do is give yourself a real chance every year

There's no question that the oilers need at least one or two quality additions.

But i think mgmt is being conservative with the purse strings and the cap until theyre certain the oilers are in the cusp. If that ever even happens.
With so many young top end players, the cap needs to monitored carefully.

I actually think the goal is pereniall contender even more so than a cup if you will.
So much luck and timing goes into a championship, nobody can guaratee one regardless of strength of roster. Sll you can really do is give yourself a real chance every year
- hugefemale dog77

Agreed. I think hall and nuge have to show they are capable of staying healthy as well

Our backup is once again better than the Leafs primary goaltending
- LeftCoaster

You have got to be kidding everyone, including yourself, with a comment like that.

My bad

I don't deny that. But show me a team that has done it without a couple fairly high end vets to lead the way. Whether that's through overpayment via trade or Ufa.
- Bieksa#3

This is precisely what the Oilers need. Hell, I'd even give UP one or two of the so called "franchise" players to have some solid leadership. I think Nuge is great, but I will always wonder what life would have been like with Landeskog in Edmonton.

I think next year Justing Schultz says WTF was I thinking I want to go to Vancouver .( OK now I am just trolling.)
- VANTEL

I am very worried about this, but it won't be Vancouver...especially after another year of the Canucks slowly fading away. (I said slowly...not trying to be a diik).

This is precisely what the Oilers need. Hell, I'd even give UP one or two of the so called "franchise" players to have some solid leadership. I think Nuge is great, but I will always wonder what life would have been like with Landeskog in Edmonton.
- JLO961

This

While he may not get quite as many points, there is no denying GL is far better in every other aspect. And GL is a big game player

I also think the oilers need to get some grit in their top 2 lines

I am very worried about this, but it won't be Vancouver...especially after another year of the Canucks slowly fading away. (I said slowly...not trying to be a diik).
- JLO961

You have got to be kidding everyone, including yourself, with a comment like that.
- JLO961

The laughing yellow face should make it obvious I'm joking?

This

While he may not get quite as many points, there is no denying GL is far better in every other aspect. And GL is a big game player
- Bieksa#3

I've got a huge man-crush on Landeskog. This kid can do it all and has superb leadership skills. With all due respect to Nuge (who I think can be a dynamic player someday - I think he seriously needs to just bulk up - if that is possible ), I would take Landeskog over Nuge (and pretty much all of the players taken in that draft year - except maybe Huberdeau) in a heartbeat.

The laughing yellow face should make it obvious I'm joking?
- LeftCoaster

Easy Tigaun

This

While he may not get quite as many points, there is no denying GL is far better in every other aspect. And GL is a big game player

I also think the oilers need to get some grit in their top 2 lines
- Bieksa#3

True number 1 centers are the toughest position to find in hockey.
The oilers absolutely couldnt pass up on the nuge.

They took the right guy without a doubt

True number 1 centers are the toughest position to find in hockey.
The oilers absolutely couldnt pass up on the nuge.

They took the right guy without a doubt
- hugefemale dog77

I like most in hockey disagree.

I am very worried about this, but it won't be Vancouver...especially after another year of the Canucks slowly fading away. (I said slowly...not trying to be a diik).
- JLO961

They are getting old it is not a secret. They need to make some serious moves soon. NHL is now a team of champions around 25-33 not 33 to 40

I've got a huge man-crush on Landeskog. This kid can do it all and has superb leadership skills. With all due respect to Nuge (who I think can be a dynamic player someday - I think he seriously needs to just bulk up - if that is possible ), I would take Landeskog over Nuge (and pretty much all of the players taken in that draft year - except maybe Huberdeau) in a heartbeat.
- Zogg

I think teams like Dallas and the Avs are going to turn some heads this year. Even the Oilers.

There are no real difference makers left in UFA .
- VANTEL

Whoa!

Mason motherf'n Raymond still available.

Whoa!

Mason motherf'n Raymond still available.
- immature_male

All but 1 . I am surprised he is not NY bound.

True number 1 centers are the toughest position to find in hockey.
The oilers absolutely couldnt pass up on the nuge.

They took the right guy without a doubt
- hugefemale dog77

Oilers needed a true power forward (still do). I would have taken GL over RNH.

All but 1 . I am surprised he is not NY bound.
- VANTEL

NYR trying to move Richards to make the cap space to sign MayRay.