Salvador and Greene aren't to shabby, Volchenkov just sucks.
- Lahey

Greene's a good two-way Dman, but I wouldn't classify his shutdown skills as great, but I admittedly haven't watched a lot of Devils games this season. I see a lot of complaints about Salvador as well, but maybe that's just "Horcoff-syndrome".

I agree with most of it, so I'll take about the one I'm on edge with.

If Dubnyk wasn't so bad to start the year I think this team is a lot better. By the time he came around the rest of the team was trying to hard to play a game that they aren't comfortable with. It's hard to blame Dubnyk for the mental issues that ended up plaguing the rest of the team, but the fact is if he was playing to his average that was .910ish we would've never seen the players lose the faith.
- Lahey

Agreed. I think it's clear to a lot of Oilers fans that we need a big upgrade in goal.

Everyone got into a really poopty headspace. Just as Dubnyk didn't have the "star-calibre" ability to pull himself out of the funk, neither do Eberle/Hall/Nuge yet have the ability to pull the team out of a funk either.

SA is bad as a "pure metric" of defensive skill. Corsi and Fenwick are slightly better. Corsi/FenClose + analysis of shot distance (not simply how close the shots are, but also how many point shots we let through and the like) + occurrence of defensive breakdowns would be better.

We may allow fewer shots, but we allow among the most 'quality' chances and we make among the most mistakes.

On paper our forwards are one of the worst defensive crops in the league too, if not far and away the worst.
- Morris

Shocking. Even RNH who is some sort of apparent new alien is horrid a lot of times. Makes smart play then next shift gets caught standing around or in the wrong position. We need to get that top d-man so these kids can just play the game they are comfortable with and grow as players. Them being forced to play defense when they aren't capable yet isn't helping.

Grebs in Potter out... Acton out Arco in... Dubs out Bryz in... I agree with all 3 moves... but- does it translate in a win?

Shocking. Even RNH who is some sort of apparent new alien is horrid a lot of times. Makes smart play then next shift gets caught standing around or in the wrong position. We need to get that top d-man so these kids can just play the game they are comfortable with and grow as players. Them being forced to play defense when they aren't capable yet isn't helping.
- Lahey

No one is trading 1-2 defenseman though, good back up and potential starting goalies are getting traded all the time, and for very little it seems like too. We need a goalie who can come in and help us win games while Nurse and Klefbom develop. No one is going to trade us a Chara or a Weber (at least not without paying something ridiculous), people will trade us a Bishop or Bernier.

No one is trading 1-2 defenseman though, good back up and potential starting goalies are getting traded all the time, and for very little it seems like too. We need a goalie who can come in and help us win games while Nurse and Klefbom develop. No one is going to trade us a Chara or a Weber (at least not without paying something ridiculous), people will trade us a Bishop or Bernier.
- SpoiledByOil

Dion Phaneuf, anyone?

Shocking. Even RNH who is some sort of apparent new alien is horrid a lot of times. Makes smart play then next shift gets caught standing around or in the wrong position. We need to get that top d-man so these kids can just play the game they are comfortable with and grow as players. Them being forced to play defense when they aren't capable yet isn't helping.
- Lahey

Bingo... But is it Dubnyk, Eakins, or all of the above... noticed last night Will and gregor chatting about Hall not being himself either... I think alot has to do with losing TBH... If we dont start putting out by the end of the year or see big improvements in the standings I bet 1 or 2 of the kids are moved because they demand it...

Agreed. I think it's clear to a lot of Oilers fans that we need a big upgrade in goal.

Everyone got into a really poopty headspace. Just as Dubnyk didn't have the "star-calibre" ability to pull himself out of the funk, neither do Eberle/Hall/Nuge yet have the ability to pull the team out of a funk either.
- Morris

Excellent comment, although Hall did find a way last year to put this team on his back and gets us rolling.

I think what's worse is that it was one game against CHI, one of the best teams in the NHL the past bunch of years.

Go back to the last CHI game and we've had a chance to win every game.

Loss to CHI, but were in it until mid-way through the third

Dallas loss, but quite a complete game. Dubnyk was stellar and the kids were buzzing but ran into a hot goalie.

SJ loss, had a bad first but pushed back.

Then we won 3 and had our loss against CHI. Team had a couple good weeks of hockey and had a bad one. Could very well bounce back and win a good chunk of our next 7 games which is actually a decent schedule.

Dubnyk probably isn't a long-term solution, but this team should be able to move up the standings with him and Ilya, and the team playing the way they have the past couple weeks.

Dion Phaneuf, anyone?
- MaximumBone

What do you give up for him?? 1st and ???

Excellent comment, although Hall did find a way last year to put this team on his back and gets us rolling.

I think what's worse is that it was one game against CHI, one of the best teams in the NHL the past bunch of years.

Go back to the last CHI game and we've had a chance to win every game.

Loss to CHI, but were in it until mid-way through the third

Dallas loss, but quite a complete game. Dubnyk was stellar and the kids were buzzing but ran into a hot goalie.

SJ loss, had a bad first but pushed back.

Then we won 3 and had our loss against CHI. Team had a couple good weeks of hockey and had a bad one. Could very well bounce back and win a good chunk of our next 7 games which is actually a decent schedule.

Dubnyk probably isn't a long-term solution, but this team should be able to move up the standings with him and Ilya, and the team playing the way they have the past couple weeks.
- Lahey

I think the days off influenced things a bit... they were in a routine and TBH the (frank)ers seem to work better in back to back games as of late... its weird but their play picked up IMO...

Yeah and Berra should have had a shutout last night........
- The-O-G

Waaaaa Waaaaaaa

edit: i mean ^ as in the sound of an instrument, not a wailing baby...

No one is trading 1-2 defenseman though, good back up and potential starting goalies are getting traded all the time, and for very little it seems like too. We need a goalie who can come in and help us win games while Nurse and Klefbom develop. No one is going to trade us a Chara or a Weber (at least not without paying something ridiculous), people will trade us a Bishop or Bernier.
- SpoiledByOil

Doubtful Bernier was an option, same deal as Schneider. It's not like MacT didn't look though. I suspect he is still looking, but it doesn't always happen when you need it. Bishop should be here right now, but that ship sailed. Who available right now is a clear cut upgrade is the question?

Same goes for the d-man, they get dealt you just need to be willing to pay the price. WPG needs help up front, they have 3 guys that could help this team out but people would complain that Byfuglien is too fat, Enstrom is too small and Bogosian is too unproven.

At some point you have to say (frank) it and pay the price.

Grebs in Potter out... Acton out Arco in... Dubs out Bryz in... I agree with all 3 moves... but- does it translate in a win?
- saskoil21

Sounds like Gazdic out and Arco centers JJ and Jones.

I think we need Gazdic tonight unless NSH isn't dressing Clune and Mystrom.

Bingo... But is it Dubnyk, Eakins, or all of the above... noticed last night Will and gregor chatting about Hall not being himself either... I think alot has to do with losing TBH... If we dont start putting out by the end of the year or see big improvements in the standings I bet 1 or 2 of the kids are moved because they demand it...
- saskoil21

Our problem is we have very little physical grit in the positions that get minutes. We have very little defensive play out of forward that get minutes. We have not top pairing d-men. We have/had inconsistent goaltending. Everyone is to blame, but there is only so much the players and Eakins can do with this lineup.

Doubtful Bernier was an option, same deal as Schneider. It's not like MacT didn't look though. I suspect he is still looking, but it doesn't always happen when you need it. Bishop should be here right now, but that ship sailed. Who available right now is a clear cut upgrade is the question?

Same goes for the d-man, they get dealt you just need to be willing to pay the price. WPG needs help up front, they have 3 guys that could help this team out but people would complain that Byfuglien is too fat, Enstrom is too small and Bogosian is too unproven.

At some point you have to say (frank) it and pay the price.
- Lahey

Big Buff would be so nice right now...

What do you give up for him?? 1st and ???
- saskoil21

Prospect (Marincin perhaps) and a conditional first (depending on him resigning? The issue with that is next year's first wouldn't have the same value. Maybe a sign & trade to guarantee him staying and them getting our first?

Big Buff would be so nice right now...
- saskoil21

Speaking of Buff, Buffalo has d-men that would help this team. Not ideal contracts though, but improvements nonetheless.

Tom freaking Gilbert is still doing well in FLA and hey they have lower shots allowed than us so that must be a good thing.

Prospect (Marincin perhaps) and a conditional first (depending on him resigning? The issue with that is next year's first wouldn't have the same value. Maybe a sign & trade to guarantee him staying and them getting our first?
- MaximumBone

How does Toronto move Phaneuf for that though? They are a playoff team right now with expectations to win the cup(you know because they had the stanley cup champs on the ropes), I just can't see them making their team that much worse by doing this.

That and they have the worse SA in the league, not sure he is that good with that stat.

Speaking of Buff, Buffalo has d-men that would help this team. Not ideal contracts though, but improvements nonetheless.

Tom freaking Gilbert is still doing well in FLA and hey they have lower shots allowed than us so that must be a good thing.
- Lahey

Deal surrounding Ehrhoff and our 1st. They include Ott and we include better prospects if you want to make it a blockbuster.

How does Toronto move Phaneuf for that though? They are a playoff team right now with expectations to win the cup(you know because they had the stanley cup champs on the ropes), I just can't see them making their team that much worse by doing this.

That and they have the worse SA in the league, not sure he is that good with that stat.
- Lahey

I don't think they move him, but then again, if they feel they can't resign him and want to get value out of him instead of losing him, they may want to get some pieces to further build with.

Excellent comment, although Hall did find a way last year to put this team on his back and gets us rolling.

I think what's worse is that it was one game against CHI, one of the best teams in the NHL the past bunch of years.

Go back to the last CHI game and we've had a chance to win every game.

Loss to CHI, but were in it until mid-way through the third

Dallas loss, but quite a complete game. Dubnyk was stellar and the kids were buzzing but ran into a hot goalie.

SJ loss, had a bad first but pushed back.

Then we won 3 and had our loss against CHI. Team had a couple good weeks of hockey and had a bad one. Could very well bounce back and win a good chunk of our next 7 games which is actually a decent schedule.

Dubnyk probably isn't a long-term solution, but this team should be able to move up the standings with him and Ilya, and the team playing the way they have the past couple weeks.
- Lahey

Agreed. I want to see points in Nashville and Columbus, but I think the team is on the rise right now. Adding the much-discussed #1 could help us a lot.

Deal surrounding Ehrhoff and our 1st. They include Ott and we include better prospects if you want to make it a blockbuster.
- Morris

Ehrhoff is the guy I go for, too. A 1st and a prospect should get it done, right? I'd think so at least. Especially at the TDD. A high pick like that is more valuable to them then anything most higher up teams could muster.

Filppula is a stronger two-way player than Lecavlier? that's news to me... Our young forwards haven't developed further? our defense didn't improve? our couching and systems didn't change? Tampa still isn't a good team defensively, the biggest difference in Tampa this year is BY FAR the goaltending, funny how they're still winning games missing Stamkos, also funny how they've been outshot almost every single game, just like Toronto, and are still winning, just like Toronto. What was the biggest change on both of those teams? Oh yea, goaltending.
- SpoiledByOil

A little off topic here with goaltending, but I think a big part among the positive changes for Tampa has been the coaching.

I was pissed when the Oilers passed on him for Kreuger.

John Cooper does nothing but win. From the tiniest ranks now to the NHL.

Ideal TDL and offseason:

Trade for Ehroff (let's say 1st + Marincin)
Trade Hemmer and Nultz for whatever we can get.
Sign Ott and Kulemin
re-sign Belov, Arco and maybe even Bryz
Sign solid Goaltender

Hall-Gagner-Yakupov
Ott-Nuge-Ebs
Perron-Arco-Kulemin
Joensuu-Gordon-XXXXX

Ehrhoff-Petry
Schultz-Ference
Belov-Klefbom

XXXX
Bryz

Ideal TDL and offseason:

Trade for Ehroff (let's say 1st + Marincin)
Trade Hemmer and Nultz for whatever we can get.
Sign Ott and Kulemin
re-sign Belov, Arco and maybe even Bryz
Sign solid Goaltender

Hall-Gagner-Yakupov
Ott-Nuge-Ebs
Perron-Arco-Kulemin
Joensuu-Gordon-XXXXX

Ehrhoff-Petry
Schultz-Ference
Belov-Klefbom

XXXX
Bryz
- Morris

I think I'd put Kulemin on the second line over Ott unless your intention with that move was for Ott to take faceoffs with Nuge. Ideally for me would see Gagner replaced with someone better at the finer points of the game (faceoffs, defense, etc), but who's a downgrade in offense.