i thnk its the other way round look at gallys return vs yaks year in rus and as much as there was debate saying yak was the #1 there was equal amount of chatter saying gally was the reason yak found success in sarnia. even without yak gally put up 60+ p in 33 games to a measly 18p in 20 in russia for yak. that said i understand yak was playing with men, still the debate could be had.
- munky123

yaks put up huge points without gally in junior. that's why he was the safer pick.
I think this is really the crux of it all that sometimes you miss.
even if you don't think our management are the right group for the job, theyre not functionally retarded.
of course they knew we needed defence and a big center more than another winger.
but both murray and gally were riskier picks.
dmen are always riskier early picks, and gally had missed a massive chunk of his draft year.

and no, playing in the pros against men can never be compared to junior

the little ive watched subban this year he's an absolute game changer. so dangerous and ominant.

but even though im in the minority that thinks weber is slightly overrated, I agree with what you're saying. we need to keep the puck OUT of our end, and then concentrate on scoring more. and webers size and tenacity are huge pluses for us as well
- hugefemale dog77

i agree with this.. the oil need a good stay at home def. with subban comes risk albeit more reward than risk, but webber would add so much stability and calmness to the back end.

the little ive watched subban this year he's an absolute game changer. so dangerous and ominant.

but even though im in the minority that thinks weber is slightly overrated, I agree with what you're saying. we need to keep the puck OUT of our end, and then concentrate on scoring more. and webers size and tenacity are huge pluses for us as well
- hugefemale dog77

Weber would definitely help but that salary is really poopty. He's not worth 14 mill for the next 2 yrs then 12 million for 2 after that. I doubt they trade him in season when they have already paid him 13.25 of his 14 for this season already.

I highly doubt any top 15 Dman is available.

yaks put up huge points without gally in junior. that's why he was the safer pick.

and no, playing in the pros against men can never be compared to junior
- hugefemale dog77

fair enough. but the defensive ga,e of most russian teams is laughable. its bordering on terrible... i would have expexted an "ovi" type draftee to light it up. mind you 18 ps is not that bad i guess

im stuck on yak not being the right fit for the oil and as much as i try and justify it, wont change the fact hes there.... for me its a huge wtf moment when they chose yak... i thought they were going to make the right "organizational need" choice. i rank it up there when the habs gifted mcdonnagh away... i think i grew my first white hair when i heard that trade...

that said i appreciate your being easy on my repetitiveness

Weber would definitely help but that salary is really poopty. He's not worth 14 mill for the next 2 yrs then 12 million for 2 after that. I doubt they trade him in season when they have already paid him 13.25 of his 14 for this season already.

I highly doubt any top 15 Dman is available.
- Iggysbff

yeah I would never even bother bandying his name about. but someone on hb mentioned something on the hotstove last week about weber. I didn't see it though

and as far fetched as it all is, that team certainly needs a true scorer/sniper.
theyre very well rounded, but that's the one thing they seem to be missing.

and with jones and josi.....i suppose ya never know.


7 mil for the next two and then 6 for 2 after that? hmmmmm. id do it

fair enough. but the defensive ga,e of most russian teams is laughable. its bordering on terrible... i would have expexted an "ovi" type draftee to light it up. mind you 18 ps is not that bad i guess

im stuck on yak not being the right fit for the oil and as much as i try and justify it, wont change the fact hes there.... for me its a huge wtf moment when they chose yak... i thought they were going to make the right "organizational need" choice. i rank it up there when the habs gifted mcdonnagh away... i think i grew my first white hair when i heard that trade...
- munky123

You're spot on about the defensive game. That's why he is quite deficient on the defensive side of things. He went from Junior (where he likely did what he want) to the KHL back to the NHL. He is still in his first 70 games so you can't expect his NHL defensive game to be there yet. He will take longer than most expected but he will come around, he's a hard worker.

You may be correct that he didn't fit an organizational need, but at the draft you should pick the best player available and deal from a position of strenght, hence moving one of Eberle, Yak, or Hemsky from the RW position to acquire other things.

If we used organizational need, then we should've considered Tom Wilson at 1st overall

That being said, I'm upset that management sees Gagner as our 2C option, I would've been happy with Galchenyuk going forward in this organization over him.

Weber would definitely help but that salary is really poopty. He's not worth 14 mill for the next 2 yrs then 12 million for 2 after that. I doubt they trade him in season when they have already paid him 13.25 of his 14 for this season already.

I highly doubt any top 15 Dman is available.
- Iggysbff

not necessarily true, all it would take is making one of the "untouchables" avail.

fair enough. but the defensive ga,e of most russian teams is laughable. its bordering on terrible... i would have expexted an "ovi" type draftee to light it up. mind you 18 ps is not that bad i guess

im stuck on yak not being the right fit for the oil and as much as i try and justify it, wont change the fact hes there.... for me its a huge wtf moment when they chose yak... i thought they were going to make the right "organizational need" choice. i rank it up there when the habs gifted mcdonnagh away... i think i grew my first white hair when i heard that trade...

that said i appreciate your being easy on my repetitiveness
- munky123

Look at Malkin's and Ovi's stats in Russia after their draft years. They're not too impressive. They also probably played on better teams and got less time than Yak in Nizhnekamsk. But still, its tough to score in the KHL as a teenager.

drafting for organizational need at number one is dumb, imo. if you use the pick, you always take the best asset, and you flip one of him or eberle later on if need be.

yeah I would never even bother bandying his name about. but someone on hb mentioned something on the hotstove last week about weber. I didn't see it though

and as far fetched as it all is, that team certainly needs a true scorer/sniper.
theyre very well rounded, but that's the one thing they seem to be missing.

and with jones and josi.....i suppose ya never know.


7 mil for the next two and then 6 for 2 after that? hmmmmm. id do it
- hugefemale dog77

It wasn't discussed at all out side of Healy. They were talking about Edmontons D and He ended the conversation with" Shea Weber is owed 76 million over the next 8 yrs....I'm certain there is a deal there that could be worked out"

That was it. No comments by anyone else.

not necessarily true, all it would take is making one of the "untouchables" avail.
- munky123

For a top 15 Dman that is an RFA or has a contract they would be. No one is parting with one.

It wasn't discussed at all out side of Healy. They were talking about Edmontons D and He ended the conversation with" Shea Weber is owed 76 million over the next 8 yrs....I'm certain there is a deal there that could be worked out"

That was it. No comments by anyone else.
- Iggysbff

well then..... sounds like he's as good as ours!

not necessarily true, all it would take is making one of the "untouchables" avail.
- munky123

I agree and it's a price I would easily be willing to pay. Also as mentioned earlier Nas and Edm would make good trading partners as each team has something the other is in need for and has enough talent in those positions that they can make a trade.

We need to stop fixating on the "big man with soft hands". We need a big man who could keep up with our small skill guys and purely create space for them.

In the absence of success with conventional options, why not try unconventional ones?
- Morris

Agreed. A prime example is the Grabovski line with 2 supporting players normally given checking roles who are big, fast and gritty, who have suddenly found scoring success...Ward and Chimera. all I'm asking for is 1 of each of these types of players on each of our top 2 lines to complement the kids, and it won't cost a huge amount to get them IMO. So, trade Yak or Ebs for a top 2 D plus a big, fast winger--it should be doable. That's for starters MacT.

You're spot on about the defensive game. That's why he is quite deficient on the defensive side of things. He went from Junior (where he likely did what he want) to the KHL back to the NHL. He is still in his first 70 games so you can't expect his NHL defensive game to be there yet. He will take longer than most expected but he will come around, he's a hard worker.

You may be correct that he didn't fit an organizational need, but at the draft you should pick the best player available and deal from a position of strenght, hence moving one of Eberle, Yak, or Hemsky from the RW position to acquire other things.

If we used organizational need, then we should've considered Tom Wilson at 1st overall

That being said, I'm upset that management sees Gagner as our 2C option, I would've been happy with Galchenyuk going forward in this organization over him.
- ystoil

i agree. i thought it was smart of him to come play in sarnia, to as he put it, acclimatize himself to the N.A game. that said, im not 100% convinced hell turn it around. at least not in the oilers jersey. im of the thinking, let it play out this year or up to the trade deadline and if theres a market, get what you can for him. it would be a dream to see him play pro next to gally but i would have to think the habs would have to give up alot to make that a reality. win win for me i guess, cause i cheer for both teams. pacioretty next to nuge and hall would be a great line. i know it would take more that pacs, and im sure edm would be eyeing emelin or one of beaulieu or tinordi.

Look at Malkin's and Ovi's stats in Russia after their draft years. They're not too impressive. They also probably played on better teams and got less time than Yak in Nizhnekamsk. But still, its tough to score in the KHL as a teenager.

drafting for organizational need at number one is dumb, imo. if you use the pick, you always take the best asset, and you flip one of him or eberle later on if need be.
- Jack-artist

i can see what youre saying... but i wasnt convinced at the time that yak was trully a sure shot let alone the "best asset". also if you look at the draft history you being oilers management couldnt have been thinking, 3rd time's a charm. its a miracle that the first 2, 1st overall picks were not duds in hall and the nuge. 2012 was not a year that the oil were supposed to go with the flow. they really needed to draft the right guy for the team and to me, and im not alone here, yak wasnt the guy. but hey its all a matter of opinion and i cant pretend to know all the ins and outs of running a team.

Why does everyone want to give up one of Ebs or Yak? If we do that then we end up with Hemsky automatically in the top 6 for the rest of the year and then we either re-sign him, trade him at the deadline or he walks for free in the summer. Sure people are going to say that Hemsky has no trade value but I don't believe that for a second. He has been playing well and would be a great complimentary player on a contender. Move him in a package with a couple prospects and/or picks to fill some of the holes we have in the line up.

MacT did try and address the size issue over the summer and early in the season with acquasitions like Joenesuu, Gordon, Gazdic, MacIntyre, Belov, Acton, Hamilton etc.......Sadly Joensuu and Hamilton are cripples and MacIntyre is still .....MacIntyre! Belov has been a good addition and they could use another 2 just like him. Acton just doesn't have what it takes to be here and Gordon is a good one. Gazdic is young and a descent skater.....he could be a "Bryan Bickell" if they give him a chance....same kinda size and numbers coming up.
Nope! I think the biggest problem isn't so much the size issue as it is the piss poor defence core and the piss poor defence support form the forwards. Have you ever watched Yakupov without the puck? Brutal! Just Fackin Brutal! Ference hasn't turned out to be the "God send" they thought he'd be.....he's a better 4-5 guy than an 1-2 without question.....imagine the blue line without Belov this season! And although I was not a Smid fan...I'm still scratching my head on that one. Larsen! Really! N.Schultz's best days are behind him and any team should have 1 J.Schultz type....not 3. The blue line is their weakest point....therefore it needs the most re-work. And Nurse is a couple of years away, as is Klefbom.

That's a little childish isn't it? Maybe you should re-direct your small-man angst at improving your lot in life. I don't recall making a personal comment to you.

Thanks for the compliment but I have been married for quite a while now. Glad you've been paying attention to me.
- JLO961

It's hard to notice the guy who always post to most ridiculous, stupid poop I've ever read, who also likes to pump his own tires and make references to his personal life on a (frank)ing hockey forum. don't worry about me, i'm more than comfortable, just don't need to brag about myself on the internet like you do. Get some actual hockey knowledge, you know (frank) all.
Childish is talking about your financials on Hockeybuzz, which you've done more than once. But it's, i'm sure you're a really cool guy

Why does everyone want to give up one of Ebs or Yak? If we do that then we end up with Hemsky automatically in the top 6 for the rest of the year and then we either re-sign him, trade him at the deadline or he walks for free in the summer. Sure people are going to say that Hemsky has no trade value but I don't believe that for a second. He has been playing well and would be a great complimentary player on a contender. Move him in a package with a couple prospects and/or picks to fill some of the holes we have in the line up.
- nated81

It depends what comes back. What if they moved him for a defensemen and a 2nd line power forward?

Have to disagree with a lot of you. Size on our top 6 is not even close to our biggest problem. When they get the puck in the offensive zone they are dangerous.

Our biggest and most glaring problem is getting hemmed in our own end. Our D cant win a battle, and when they do they cant make a simple break out. We spend more time chasing in our own end than anything. When the puck does get to our forwards they break it out pretty well.

We cannot continue with the top 4 we have. I don't know if we will be able to get what we need during this season or have to wait until Summer? But that is the glaring weakness. Our goals for are not the problem. Goals against are. And even if we take out the 10-12 softies that Duby and Labackup have let in we are still far and away one of the worst in GA/game. And some on here will blame it all on MacT for not improving that this summer. He TRIED. Could not get any takers. They don't just give those guys away. Hopefully we improve throughout this season. And address it this Summer. Ference and Belov are not the answer.
- Iggysbff

I don't think that size in the top 6 is our biggest issue, but it could definitely be addressed with smaller scale moves.

I agree that a top pairing dman is the number one concern, but as you say it's a rarity to have the opportunity to acquire one.

MacT did try and address the size issue over the summer and early in the season with acquasitions like Joenesuu, Gordon, Gazdic, MacIntyre, Belov, Acton, Hamilton etc.......Sadly Joensuu and Hamilton are cripples and MacIntyre is still .....MacIntyre! Belov has been a good addition and they could use another 2 just like him. Acton just doesn't have what it takes to be here and Gordon is a good one. Gazdic is young and a descent skate.....he could be a "Bryan Bickell" if they give him a chance....same kinda size and numbers coming up.
Nope! I think the biggest problem isn't so much the size issue as it is the piss poor defence core and the piss poor defence support form the forwards. Have you ever watched Yakupov without the puck? Brutal! Just Fackin Brutal! Ference hasn't turned out to be the "God send" they thought he'd be.....he's a better 4-5 guy than an 1-2 without question.....imagine the blue line without Belov this season! And although I was not a Smid fan...I'm still scratching my head on that one. Larsen! Really! N.Schultz's best days are behind him and any team should have 1 J.Schultz type....not 3. The blue line is their weakest point....therefore it needs the most re-work. And Nurse is a couplke on years away, as is Klefbom.
- Rhino

I don't see Gazdic being a Bickel but I can see him being a chris neil or Shawn Thorton type.

Joensu is missed, I'm surprised how well he was on the boards.

I`m glad this coaching staff realizes the inneffectiveness of a player like Arcobello in the bottom six, even though many on this forum do not. HE IS TOO LITTLE. If he can`t bring something truly amazing to his game (lightning speed, incredible passing, Theo Fleury type grit, etc.) he is not going to stick.
- JLO961

I don't think that size in the top 6 is our biggest issue, but it could definitely be addressed with smaller scale moves.

I agree that a top pairing dman is the number one concern, but as you say it's a rarity to have the opportunity to acquire one.
- Morris

We'll overpay Coburn as a UFA

It's hard to notice the guy who always post to most ridiculous, stupid poop I've ever read, who also likes to pump his own tires and make references to his personal life on a (frank)ing hockey forum. don't worry about me, i'm more than comfortable, just don't need to brag about myself on the internet like you do. Get some actual hockey knowledge, you know (frank) all.
Childish is talking about your financials on Hockeybuzz, which you've done more than once. But it's, i'm sure you're a really cool guy
- SpoiledByOil

fly away little fly...

We'll overpay Coburn as a UFA
- Reveen

I like Coburn