I think zone entries have been a big thing for Hall this year. Eakins has promoted dump n chase which doesn't exactly play to his strengths/has been found to be a deterrent to offensive pressure.
- TheNugeIsHuge

That's true too, I'm encouraged to hear that Eakins has said that he's ready to start trying more things with the team now that the team has a more basic grasp of his system. If that involves letting Taylor Hall be a little more creative and aggressive with entries while still being able to dump and chase (with his speed and strength it should be used to some degree) he and the other struggling players will return and even exceed their totals from the past.

Im hoping that this season is of the variety of teams that take a step back before they make the big leap forward (unlikely but it'd be nice)

Ummm the mistake was made in June 2010
- nanook82

Pronger going for nothing was the mistake. Terrible contracts after the cup run giving out didn't help either.

That's such crap! Keeping Tay-Tay happy is a priority over improving the team? If we get a stud D man and Win more games, and Hall is unhappy, then we 100% made a mistake drafting him over Seguin.
- Jeropotato

Maybe demanding was the wrong thing, but I'd rather keep hall happy than piss him off. Ultimately I think he just wants to win. If a trade makes us better and we start winning its likely that he stays happy.

What I more so meant that Hall is far and away our best player, and if he wants out its not a good thing for Edmonton because it more than likely means we are still losing and we are spending more years in a rebuild with no end in sight.

Pronger going for nothing was the mistake. Terrible contracts after the cup run giving out didn't help either.
- time2produce

Yeah that list is long. Trading down in 03 for Pouliot was real bad haha

That's the thing I don't really like. People who swear by Corsi seem to label guys as good/bad possession players like they were born that way, yet offer no explanation as to why the stats are where they are and how they can improve upon them. Have players Corsi results ever fluctuated greatly? Do they change with their line mates? coaches? Teams? Explain to us ingnorants.
- Jeropotato

I definitely don't swear by corsi, but I do think it's a more useful stat than +/- and IMO in some cases can tell more than points.

Again I'm just a fan of stats, not an expert at all. People seem to think Hall's big down turn in his corsi% has been a phenomenon. Eakins system must have changed things about Hall's game that really worked 5 on 5. One thing I've mentioned a couple times is that he dumps the puck in instead of carrying it in far more often.

Possession numbers definitely do change with line mates(you can see how they benefit/are hurt through WOWYs(with or without you)) and coaches systems must have influence, I think

Dough Weight Best Friend Bill Guerin got traded by the Oil and Dough Weight continue his super play for the Oil and welcome the new player which it was Anson Carter,I think Hall will be okay if Eberle goes.
- AlEx_OiL

Yes but Dougie was older and at least playing on a team with some success. Hall's a kid who just wants to win. He said in his interview that he doesn't even remember what it feels like to come to a game and be expected to and counted upon to win. That's got to wear down on a guy. Losing his best friend could hypothetically aid his potentially growing resentment towards the org.

Somebody has to step and lead this team. Tonight was a poor example and a nice sign, but more often that not, this team quits this game in the 2nd period.

Is that okay? It has everything to do with the guys that have the talent on this team.

I'm not questioning Halls talent, I'm questioning if he has the mental toughness and leadership to carry this team out of it.
- Jeropotato

There is a whole lot more to the Psychology of sport, than the average fan has an understanding of. Hard for any of us to understand what they go through and deal with, but we are the first people to criticize them. I thought hall had a lot of jump tonight, but this is a team, and it takes more than just Hall to jump up, and step things up on a nightly basis.

I definitely don't swear by corsi, but I do think it's a more useful stat than +/- and IMO in some cases can tell more than points.

Again I'm just a fan of stats, not an expert at all. People seem to think Hall's big down turn in his corsi% has been a phenomenon. Eakins system must have changed things about Hall's game that really worked 5 on 5. One thing I've mentioned a couple times is that he dumps the puck in instead of carrying it in far more often.

Possession numbers definitely do change with line mates(you can see how they benefit/are hurt through WOWYs(with or without you)) and coaches systems must have influence, I think
- TheNugeIsHuge

I know nothing of corsi, but for the people who say +/- is a useless stat are just as confused as the Oilers defensive style.

I know nothing of corsi, but for the people who say +/- is a useless stat are just as confused as the Oilers defensive style.
- nanook82

+- is quite useless. A goalie lets in a weak shot from the blue line, a Dman has a weak pinch that leads to a breakaway, two defensively incapable players are on the ice, an empty net goal is scored, etc. If any of these happen to someone in a game, their +- is punished for the fault of others.

also, take Justin Schultz. He was a -2 against NYI because he was forced to play 33 minutes. His +- was bad because he was exhausted playing minutes he didn't belong playing

There were some really strong points tonight. I think the thought of trading the top 6 should be squashed. There is no way we would get true value for them. Eberle's goal was beautiful, there is no doubt in my mind the RNH is going to be an All Star center, Gagner's ability to play any role, Perron's ability to make plays out of no where by being strong on the puck and Hall has been a star since he stepped on the ice. Like them or not, they are on the verge of being amazing and we saw that tonight and especially in the shootout.

I also liked Henricks play tonight. Finishing his checks. He could be a solid 4th line player. I also liked the look of Fasth in his first game with the Oil. He lacked rebound control but I think he did a fairly good job considering the shots that were getting through. I don't fault him on any of the goals. Even the shootout ones were going to beat most goalies in the league.

Wow did Parise put that puck in the perfect spot. He made that look easy. Even Koivu did amazing. A veteran might have known that was his move and challenged at the last second. Koivu committed and was ripe for a poke check. Still that was a tough shot to stop with that speed for any goalie and Koivu is a veteran who very well might have beat a poke check either way.

They just need a few pieces and the team is a contender. 10 out of 13 games for the Oil? Is that what they said. Liking the new goalies.

[quote=Hall Fan]There were some really strong points tonight. I think the thought of trading the top 6 should be squashed. There is no way we would get true value for them. Eberle's goal was beautiful, there is no doubt in my mind the RNH is going to be an All Star center, Gagner's ability to play any role, Perron's ability to make plays out of no where by being strong on the puck and Hall has been a star since he stepped on the ice. Like them or not, they are on the verge of being amazing and we saw that tonight and especially in the shootout.

I also liked Henricks play tonight. Finishing his checks. He could be a solid 4th line player. I also liked the look of Fasth in his first game with the Oil. He lacked rebound control but I think he did a fairly good job considering the shots that were getting through. I don't fault him on any of the goals. Even the shootout ones were going to beat most goalies in the league.

Wow did Parise put that puck in the perfect spot. He made that look easy. Even Koivu did amazing. A veteran might have known that was his move and challenged at the last second. Koivu committed and was ripe for a poke check. Still that was a tough shot to stop with that speed for any goalie and Koivu is a veteran who very well might have beat a poke check either way.

They just need a few pieces and the team is a contender. 10 out of 13 games for the Oil? Is that what they said.

+- is quite useless. A goalie lets in a weak shot from the blue line, a Dman has a weak pinch that leads to a breakaway, two defensively incapable players are on the ice, an empty net goal is scored, etc. If any of these happen to someone in a game, their +- is punished for the fault of others.

also, take Justin Schultz. He was a -2 against NYI because he was forced to play 33 minutes. His +- was bad because he was exhausted playing minutes he didn't belong playing
- TheNugeIsHuge

Yup all part of the game, it goes both ways. Better head down the ice and score on the opposition to get that + back. And Jultz was -2 because of high minutes or -2 because he's terrible defensively? Don't forget he's a college kid that only plays 40 game season with little d involved. But hey, he sure looks good on the pp though!

(frank) Hall Fan, you ruined the page with yer giant blog post.

+- is quite useless. A goalie lets in a weak shot from the blue line, a Dman has a weak pinch that leads to a breakaway, two defensively incapable players are on the ice, an empty net goal is scored, etc. If any of these happen to someone in a game, their +- is punished for the fault of others.

also, take Justin Schultz. He was a -2 against NYI because he was forced to play 33 minutes. His +- was bad because he was exhausted playing minutes he didn't belong playing
- TheNugeIsHuge

I agree. Plus minus is not a stand alone stat. Especially when you take into account line matching and the simple bad breaks on some goals. Take Eberle's goal. Only person at fault there was possibly Parise and only because he wasn't faster than Jordan who had momentum. Yet everyone on the ice got a minus for it.

Yes but Dougie was older and at least playing on a team with some success. Hall's a kid who just wants to win. He said in his interview that he doesn't even remember what it feels like to come to a game and be expected to and counted upon to win. That's got to wear down on a guy. Losing his best friend could hypothetically aid his potentially growing resentment towards the org.
- TheNugeIsHuge

I think your wrong unless Hall believe He still is a "Kid",I believe yes He would probably be hurting a first if Eberle goes but Hall knowing that there's another player or more coming back that will help the team succeed then I think Hall would be okay.

I agree. Plus minus is not a stand alone stat. Especially when you take into account line matching and the simple bad breaks on some goals. Take Eberle's goal. Only person at fault there was possibly Parise and only because he wasn't faster than Jordan who had momentum. Yet everyone on the ice got a minus for it.
- Hall Fan

It was 8 lines. Don't be a girl. (frank) you're an idiot.

It was 8 lines. Don't be a girl. (frank) you're an idiot.
- Hall Fan

Did you just call your self an idiot?

There were some really strong points tonight. I think the thought of trading the top 6 should be squashed. There is no way we would get true value for them. Eberle's goal was beautiful, there is no doubt in my mind the RNH is going to be an All Star center, Gagner's ability to play any role, Perron's ability to make plays out of no where by being strong on the puck and Hall has been a star since he stepped on the ice. Like them or not, they are on the verge of being amazing and we saw that tonight and especially in the shootout.

I also liked Henricks play tonight. Finishing his checks. He could be a solid 4th line player. I also liked the look of Fasth in his first game with the Oil. He lacked rebound control but I think he did a fairly good job considering the shots that were getting through. I don't fault him on any of the goals. Even the shootout ones were going to beat most goalies in the league.

Wow did Parise put that puck in the perfect spot. He made that look easy. Even Koivu did amazing. A veteran might have known that was his move and challenged at the last second. Koivu committed and was ripe for a poke check. Still that was a tough shot to stop with that speed for any goalie and Koivu is a veteran who very well might have beat a poke check either way.

They just need a few pieces and the team is a contender. 10 out of 13 games for the Oil? Is that what they said. Liking the new goalies.
- Hall Fan

This is what's wrong with Oiler fans. They see one good game and all is good, don't change a thing. All we need are 2 pieces and we're contenders.
This couldn't be further from the truth. You can't win with your entire top 6 under 6' tall, especially in this conference.

I almost guessed the right score

Did you just call your self an idiot?
- AlEx_OiL

I am confused by the question. I was referring to the guy that thought it was a good idea to put "zzz..." the whole screen. Just trying to talk hockey and the douche blows a gasket.

Yup, Hall Fan quoted his own post, and called himself an idiot. The truth is out.

This is what's wrong with Oiler fans. They see one good game and all is good, don't change a thing. All we need are 2 pieces and we're contenders.
This couldn't be further from the truth. You can't win with your entire top 6 under 6' tall, especially in this conference.
- nanook82

I have always said that this Oil top 6 won't survive playing top teams with bigger D and bigger Forwards.

This is what's wrong with Oiler fans. They see one good game and all is good, don't change a thing. All we need are 2 pieces and we're contenders.
This couldn't be further from the truth. You can't win with your entire top 6 under 6' tall, especially in this conference.
- nanook82

Both hall and nuge are over 6'

(frank) Hall Fan, you ruined the page with yer giant blog post.
- leonkennedy

That was you (frank)ing up the page

That was you (frank)ing up the page
- Yeti1181

Cmon man why that one it was gold.