A caller told Bob Stauffer that He/She notice other players not passing the puck to Yak,something I said long time ago,there's some internal things going on between Yak and other players,even Bob Stauffer had said that other Hockey people have notice that and yes He (Stauffer)himself have notice the same,something the Oil needs to fix.
- AlEx_OiL

Interesting, perhaps we have an old boys club on the ice too.

Interesting, perhaps we have an old boys club on the ice too.
- ystoil

and that's a shot

I think Eakins can be a good coach but not with the type of players the Oil have,I think either MacT or Eakins didn't do his homework before making the changes.
- AlEx_OiL

It's the players, the key players think they are better than they are. We had the same problems in OKC last year when the kids were down there. Kinda sad the Baron do better without Hall, Eberle, RNH and Schultz. That in itself tells you we have an issue that isn't Yakupov related.

Per TSN homepage:

"OILERS' YAKUPOV SAYS HE DESERVES MORE PLAYING TIME"

No where in the article does it quote him saying that. Larionov said play him 18 minutes, not Yakupov. Effin media.
- ystoil

the team is 4-13-2, Yak should be playing more,the season is over,the Coach wants to help the player?play him,He was a First overall pick for a reason to Score Goals.

It's the players, the key players think they are better than they are. We had the same problems in OKC last year when the kids were down there. Kinda sad the Baron do better without Hall, Eberle, RNH and Schultz. That in itself tells you we have an issue that isn't Yakupov related.
- Lahey

Which kids are they as I dont know of one this year that thinks they are all that... which may be why there were Eberle trade rumors...

the team is 4-13-2, Yak should be playing more,the season is over,the Coach wants to help the player?play him,He was a First overall pick for a reason to Score Goals.
- AlEx_OiL

Seems like management needs to chose between the coach or their first overall pick... Just judging by all your comments it doesn't seem like they can coexist.

the team is 4-13-2, Yak should be playing more,the season is over,the Coach wants to help the player?play him,He was a First overall pick for a reason to Score Goals.
- AlEx_OiL

i completely agree... let the kid play - let him do what he was drafted to do... score (frank)ing goals... enough with all the two way play poop... do you really think people cared about Bure's 2 way play??? (frank) no- as long as he was on the ice to score goals... which is why yak was drafted... not to play on the 3rd and 4th lines win 2 mins of PP time in 4 games... its not that complicated...

It's the players, the key players think they are better than they are. We had the same problems in OKC last year when the kids were down there. Kinda sad the Baron do better without Hall, Eberle, RNH and Schultz. That in itself tells you we have an issue that isn't Yakupov related.
- Lahey

Yup,I think Hall needs to learn to be a better team player,I have notice last season when Yak scored He would not celebrate the same way He would if Eberle or Nudge had score,if we all want Hall to be the next Captain then He needs to be equal with everyone,I like Hall and believe He should be the Oil next Captain but He needs to learn to be a teammate with everyone.

Seems like management needs to chose between the coach or their first overall pick... Just judging by all your comments it doesn't seem like they can coexist.
- mrhattrick27

I bet if things escalate a touch more Eakins will be gone and MacT will take over- seeing as it was his mess that he created in the first place... MacT knows how hard it is to have top end talent esp to get a chance to create it in Edmonton... I doubt he would piss it away for the coach but then again our management group is inbred... so who knows... OR maybe MacT changes Eakins ways a bit... either way what a poopty deal it is for this org...

Seems like management needs to chose between the coach or their first overall pick... Just judging by all your comments it doesn't seem like they can coexist.
- mrhattrick27

Eakins is a nice person and possibly a Good Coach with other type of players, But as a Fan I would choose Yak the one to stay,last season Krueger did wonders for Yak,"He let Yak play his Game".

Eakins is taking some heat- lots are asking how Gags is even getting top 6 mins if you have to 'earn' your ice... lol

It's the players, the key players think they are better than they are. We had the same problems in OKC last year when the kids were down there. Kinda sad the Baron do better without Hall, Eberle, RNH and Schultz. That in itself tells you we have an issue that isn't Yakupov related.
- Lahey

Very interesting thing to note. Didn't really pay attention to OKC's record before and after in the lockout.

Seems like management needs to chose between the coach or their first overall pick... Just judging by all your comments it doesn't seem like they can coexist.
- mrhattrick27

I dont think its much more than "player is struggling, coach wants to win, plays struggling player lower in than lineup".

Eakins is taking some heat- lots are asking how Gags is even getting top 6 mins if you have to 'earn' your ice... lol
- saskoil21

Who is asking? The fans or media?

Well then it sounds like Ehrhoff isn't living up to his billing as your best defenseman...better trade him to us now while you can
- Morris

I already offered him to some of the posters earlier, they said no.

Who is asking? The fans or media?
- Lahey

fans... just lots of fans... the edmonton media types are too scared to ask that type of question...

fans... just lots of fans... the edmonton media types are too scared to ask that type of question...
- saskoil21

Fans asking does very little at this point.

I'm honestly starting to believe that Eakins is not the coach and so far it looks like MacT first mistake as a GM.
- AlEx_OiL

His first mistake chronologically? Because his first mistake in terms of when it effected the team was not getting a better backup to push Dubnyk.

It's the players, the key players think they are better than they are. We had the same problems in OKC last year when the kids were down there. Kinda sad the Baron do better without Hall, Eberle, RNH and Schultz. That in itself tells you we have an issue that isn't Yakupov related.
- Lahey

Good point.

I think each line could use a veteran or two to keep the kids honest and hard working
Hall-Gagner-XXXX
XXX-Nuge-Ebs
Perron-Gordon-Yakupov (<--which I think could be great)

Fans asking does very little at this point.
- Lahey

I know but really the media would never do that to the rookie coach or would they- not sure they have the balls...

Good point.

I think each line could use a veteran or two to keep the kids honest and hard working
Hall-Gagner-XXXX
XXX-Nuge-Ebs
Perron-Gordon-Yakupov (<--which I think could be great)
- Morris

why is Gags getting top line Center minutes when he is our worst center by far this year??? - thats on the dot and in the dzone... Arco, Gordon et al... are all better this year than Gags... if we are not showcasing Gags move him to wing and let everyone move up a line....

why is Gags getting top line Center minutes when he is our worst center by far this year??? - thats on the dot and in the dzone... Arco, Gordon et al... are all better this year than Gags... if we are not showcasing Gags move him to wing and let everyone move up a line....
- saskoil21

Because arco has not proved by any stretch of the imagination that he's a better center than Gagner, and to shunt Gagner based on his first 6 games coming back from injury is essentially the same thing you've been railing against with Yakupov.

I was more talking about the go-ahead, which I'm skeptical Arcobello will be a part of. Notice I didn't put Hemsky there, who's played well in most games.

As a philosophical note, for most good teams there's no such thing as a top line, or even a top 6 anymore. That's the line I listed first, because I thought of Hall first.

Rishaug needs to relax (on Gregor Show)

Yakupov went to his experienced agent who decided to go to the media. Yakupov didn't.

All this yak poop is giving me a headache.

Smid had some intristing comments tho. Says if the oilers don't start winning there WILL be more trades. And that mact isn't a patent man.