I really hope that the Olympic break will give the GM's more free time to actually work out some deals and make for an interesting TDL. Not holding my breath for a significant deal from MG though, as I think the draft will be when the biggest move will be made. The cap will be up and a few more compliance buyouts will take place allowing for more teams to be in the market for an expensive core player. I'll be pissed if Gillis' moves to start the re-tool will involve trading a guy like Tanev and/or even Hansen instead of an older core guy.

Hopefully the team doesn't try rushing guys back from injury either. #TankNation
- Nucker101

Agreed . Hansen is a younger cheaper and this year more productive Burrows. I would rather keep Tanev over Edler

Agreed . Hansen is a younger cheaper and this year more productive Burrows. I would rather keep Tanev over Edler
- VANTEL

I would never trade effective NHL players on cheap contracts (tanev, Hansen). You need those guys in your lineup contributing so you can surround them with expensive stars.

I have yet to fully commit to giving up on the team this season and yet with this Olympic break i can't help but look forward to training camp next season ( now i know what it's like to be an Oilers fan)

With the likes of Jensen, Horvat, Skinkaruk, Gaunce, Cassels, Fox, Corrado, Hutton, Cederholhm, Mallet, Grenier, Archi etc etc etc pushing for spots next year i don't necessarily see the need to shake up the core.

For instance, with a few decent UFA signings and the incorporation of one or two prospects in a meaningful way this team could become very deep once again. I mean we already have the back-end locked up, from the goalie position up through the defensive ranks, both of which are arguably some of the best in the league.

On a side note, if Horvat fails to make the team next season is he eligible to play in the AHL?

I don't see another season in the OHL being meaningful to his development.

I have yet to fully commit to giving up on the team this season and yet with this Olympic break i can't help but look forward to training camp next season ( now i know what it's like to be an Oilers fan)

With the likes of Jensen, Horvat, Skinkaruk, Gaunce, Cassels, Fox, Corrado, Hutton, Cederholhm, Mallet, Grenier, Archi etc etc etc pushing for spots next year i don't necessarily see the need to shake up the core.

For instance, with a few decent UFA signings and the incorporation of one or two prospects in a meaningful way this team could become very deep once again. I mean we already have the back-end locked up, from the goalie position up through the defensive ranks, both of which are arguably some of the best in the league.
- Whiskey-Tango

The UFA crop this year is awful. Not the sort you build around. Will have to build through our prospect pool and via trade.

Canucks fans shouldn't get their hopes up on Shinkaruk making the team next year after the injury ravaged season he's had this year. It would be a pleasant surprise, but he's a longshot for next year.

The UFA crop this year is awful. Not the sort you build around. Will have to build through our prospect pool and via trade.

Canucks fans shouldn't get their hopes up on Shinkaruk making the team next year after the injury ravaged season he's had this year. It would be a pleasant surprise, but he's a longshot for next year.
- KB3Point0

Agreed, however my point was more along the basis of depth acquisitions, something along the lines of third/fourth liner's with the ability to contribute on and off the score sheet.

I highly doubt Shink will be good to go as well, mind you he still looked fantastic in the rookie/pre-season games while playing injured.

Agreed, however my point was more along the basis of depth acquisitions, something along the lines of third/fourth liner's with the ability to contribute on and off the score sheet.

I highly doubt Shink will be good to go as well, mind you he still looked fantastic in the rookie/pre-season games while playing injured.
- Whiskey-Tango

those guys don't come cheap. look at David Clarkson and Ryane Clowe last year.

those guys don't come cheap. look at David Clarkson and Ryane Clowe last year.
- DoubleDown

Those aren't the kind I'm talking about as it could have been argued that both those players were acquired to fill a top six role.

Players more along the basis of 1 to 2 million.

Depth signings......bottom six players..........

Agreed, however my point was more along the basis of depth acquisitions, something along the lines of third/fourth liner's with the ability to contribute on and off the score sheet.

I highly doubt Shink will be good to go as well, mind you he still looked fantastic in the rookie/pre-season games while playing injured.
- Whiskey-Tango

I know. Those are guys who'll get way overpaid as UFAs though.

Those aren't the kind I'm talking about as it could have been argued that both those players were acquired to fill a top six role.

Players more along the basis of 1 to 2 million.

Depth signings......bottom six players..........
- Whiskey-Tango

It's going to be much harder to find any of those types of players good enough to contribute this season with the cap going up $6M rather than going down $6M. Those players will be in demand as every team lost much needed depth last year (except maybe St. Louis...). It'll be tough to count on that type of acquisition this year like in the past.

Nothing against Bo but are we going to watch this Nichushkin kid light it up for years to come and wonder what might have been?

Boobies !

I know. Those are guys who'll get way overpaid as UFAs though.
- KB3Point0

So Santorelli/Richardson are the exceptions to the rule?

Who's to say we can't find another gem?

Nothing against Bo but are we going to watch this Nichushkin kid light it up for years to come and wonder what might have been?
- Beachcomber

Hopefully Bo becomes the more complete player, but ya...a big risk to say the least.

Nothing against Bo but are we going to watch this Nichushkin kid light it up for years to come and wonder what might have been?
- Beachcomber

You build championships thru the middle; our lack of organizational depth/strength down the middle, after Hank and Kesler, is extremely disheartning!! We needed to draft Horvat.

So Santorelli/Richardson are the exceptions to the rule?

Who's to say we can't find another gem?
- Whiskey-Tango

Santorelli is the exception to the rule. That sort of steal does not come around every year. It's not very often a kid with that skill recommits himself to the degree he did this offseason.

Richardson is a classic example of a guy who got way less due to the shrinking cap and is a guy who would get much more this offseason with an escalating cap. Raymond, Boyes, and a bunch of others are in the same boat. They each took big cuts that they won't have to take with the cap going back up.

Gillis could get lucky again, but it'll be much more difficult this season. Likely too difficult to depend on to improve the team. Those sorts of additions will more likely have to come from within (or the re-signing of Santorelli, Tanev, etc. who I guess you could consider as UFAs).

You build championships thru the middle; our lack of organizational depth/strength down the middle, after Hank and Kesler, is extremely disheartning!! We needed to draft Horvat.
- LeftCoaster

yep. you see teams win Cups without the greatest goalie (Chicago, Detroit) or without the greatest collection of dmen (Pittsburgh, Carolina) but you never see teams win the Cup without being loaded up the middle.

yep. you see teams win Cups without the greatest goalie (Chicago, Detroit) or without the greatest collection of dmen (Pittsburgh, Carolina) but you never see teams win the Cup without being loaded up the middle.
- DoubleDown

but a great dman can make up for so much .......pronger in Edmonton comes to mind, or scott niedermayer in anaheim.....actually going back to our original discussion PK would help us get into the zone a lot more creatively in these games......but alas Babcock needs people he can trust......I mean I get it but when I call the poker game I love to call the one eyed jacks wild......

I loved the trade offer. Accepted

I loved the trade offer. Accepted
- vancity787

Yeah, you did pretty good on that one.

I loved the trade offer. Accepted
- vancity787

good deal for you as long as that 1st rounder isn't Crosby

good deal for you as long as that 1st rounder isn't Crosby
- SMP8719

That trade should help ensure it isn't Crosby!

That trade should help ensure it isn't Crosby!
- KB3Point0

Hopefully, his matchups aren't easy for the rest of the year.

pretty much guaranteed to be a top 5 pick. I am sure that is why Vantel made the deal... now he is guaranteed 2 picks in the top 5 and a good chance of getting Crosby.

Hopefully, his matchups aren't easy for the rest of the year.

pretty much guaranteed to be a top 5 pick. I am sure that is why Vantel made the deal... now he is guaranteed 2 picks in the top 5 and a good chance of getting Crosby.
- SMP8719

I own Vantel's 1st and 2nd round picks...

I own Vantel's 1st and 2nd round picks...
- KB3Point0

lol ok lucky guy


Edit.... also happy with that trade guy