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

Yup true knocking!

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

Are you serious? I am on here all the time. It was one good game and I do think we are just missing a few pieces. I have always said that. Like I said, we need to get to the point where Gagner is our third line center with Yakopov and someone larger. Gordon is a great FOURTH line center. We need to add two guys to our top 6 and a top dman. That has always been my position.

Our entire top 6 is not under 6 feet and guys like Ott who rank in the top 5 in hits each year is only 6 foot. Smaller than Hall. We need tougher guys but height doesn't make you tough. There are many examples other than Penner of people that are big but don't use it.

Pull your head out. We need KEY additions like Penner. Like MacT did to our goal tending. Not to replace talent just for the sake of someone taller.

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

Nope. Hall FAns blog was the catalyst. we got a whole chicken and the egg thing going on here

K, my memory isn't great but has our rebuild been front and centre on TSN top 10 ever? Because the Canucks have already had the honour and their rebuild started last week hahaha!

Nope. Hall FAns blog was the catalyst. we got a whole chicken and the egg thing going on here
- leonkennedy

Not all of us are articulate enough to use the emoticons. Nice point.

Are you serious? I am on here all the time. It was one good game and I do think we are just missing a few pieces. I have always said that. Like I said, we need to get to the point where Gagner is our third line center with Yakopov and someone larger. Gordon is a great FOURTH line center. We need to add two guys to our top 6 and a top dman. That has always been my position.

Our entire top 6 is not under 6 feet and guys like Ott who rank in the top 5 in hits each year is only 6 foot. Smaller than Hall. We need tougher guys but height doesn't make you tough. There are many examples other than Penner of people that are big but don't use it.

Pull your head out. We need KEY additions like Penner. Like MacT did to our goal tending. Not to replace talent just for the sake of someone taller.
- Hall Fan

Okay guy. Gagner and Yaks on the third line..... Oh boy

Not all of us are articulate enough to use the emoticons. Nice point.
- Hall Fan

On this site extra emoticons can replace coherent thought. Its in the COC.

Okay guy. Gagner and Yaks on the third line..... Oh boy

- nanook82

That is the level of talent that our team needs to be at. Look at LA for example with Mike Richards as a third line Center. Yak has the potential to be a top 6 player if given the chance. He is not there now. Gagner shows glimpses but he would be much better as a third line with a bigger center playing second. I am stealing part of this from Stauffer but at no point did I say we only needed two players. We just need the right filler to what we have already.

Are you serious? I am on here all the time. It was one good game and I do think we are just missing a few pieces. I have always said that. Like I said, we need to get to the point where Gagner is our third line center with Yakopov and someone larger. Gordon is a great FOURTH line center. We need to add two guys to our top 6 and a top dman. That has always been my position.

Our entire top 6 is not under 6 feet and guys like Ott who rank in the top 5 in hits each year is only 6 foot. Smaller than Hall. We need tougher guys but height doesn't make you tough. There are many examples other than Penner of people that are big but don't use it.

Pull your head out. We need KEY additions like Penner. Like MacT did to our goal tending. Not to replace talent just for the sake of someone taller.
- Hall Fan

I think we could go a long way if we could add two top nine fowards (top nine means good two way, bottom six means someon like Gordon)

Looking at the FA pool Guys like Legwand Bolland Downie Ott Penner and Vrbata are all guys we should consider. In a trade a guy like Schenn Coutuierer would be ideal but not had for cheap at all. Another good option would be looking at artem Anisimov. He could be a Perron type addition. Good player who could be had for a value.

There's a lot of options this year for what the oilers need In the forward pool that can help us a lot, if only the defense was similar.

On this site extra emoticons can replace coherent thought. Its in the COC.
- TheTaoOfSemenko

Ooops. My bad. I will work on using them more so I can keep up with his wit.

Not all of us are articulate enough to use the emoticons. Nice point.
- Hall Fan

You need to first learn to quote the right post before you keep on picking yer own and insulting yerself

I think we could go a long way if we could add two top nine fowards (top nine means good two way, bottom six means someon like Gordon)

Looking at the FA pool Guys like Legwand Bolland Downie Ott Penner and Vrbata are all guys we should consider. In a trade a guy like Schenn Coutuierer would be ideal but not had for cheap at all. Another good option would be looking at artem Anisimov. He could be a Perron type addition. Good player who could be had for a value.

There's a lot of options this year for what the oilers need In the forward pool that can help us a lot, if only the defense was similar.
- CrustyRooster

Yeah or we can gamble like we did with Perron. He was cheap because he had concussion problems. Not saying he is the answer but a guy like Vinny who is not having an amazing year in Philly could have some miles left on him. He is only 33 and adding a 6-4 veteran could help. I am not saying that he is on the market or that we SHOULD go for him but there are guys out there whose value is low, that just might need the right change of scenery.

Edit: I do like the idea of adding Ott or Legwand as well though.

That is the level of talent that our team needs to be at. Look at LA for example with Mike Richards as a third line Center. Yak has the potential to be a top 6 player if given the chance. He is not there now. Gagner shows glimpses but he would be much better as a third line with a bigger center playing second. I am stealing part of this from Stauffer but at no point did I say we only needed two players. We just need the right filler to what we have already.
- Hall Fan

Sorry but you did say "just need a few pieces and we'd be contenders". A few is two. But anyways, please let's not compare Richards to Gagner. I think I understand where you're going with this but Gagner's game isn't built to battle other third liners, and especially not with Yakupov on his wing.

Sorry but you did say "just need a few pieces and we'd be contenders". A few is two. But anyways, please let's not compare Richards to Gagner. I think I understand where you're going with this but Gagner's game isn't built to battle other third liners, and especially not with Yakupov on his wing.
- nanook82

I am saying that it is not unrealistic to picture these two guys on our third line. Contenders have better guys than Gagner on theirs. I think you mean a "couple" is two. A "few" is a few. If I had to put a number I would say 5 guys. However I still like how this team looks two years from now with the D we have in the system. Remember that all these guys people are talking about shipping off are still really young.

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

Okay, so by that logic, it's not really fair to analyze whether or not a player would be a good fit, or be able to sustain or improve upon his Corsi if we were to acquire him then?
A player with poor possession stats with the same line mates/coaches could possibly be a better possession player on our team and vice versa?

Nope. Hall FAns blog was the catalyst. we got a whole chicken and the egg thing going on here
- leonkennedy

No your zzzzz all strung together is what (frank)ed it up.

Cmon man why that one it was gold.
- TheTaoOfSemenko

Itnwas pretty funny I agree.

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.
- leonkennedy

My whole point in all this was defending a possible decision Mac T may be faced with to improve the team.i personally don't believe that the top 6 has displayed the intestinal fortitude and guts to remain competitive after they get down 2 goals.
I also see the need to improve the defense.
It is not beyond the realm of possibility that we can balance and improve our top six while moving Eberle for a good defense man. I don't think Halls personal feelings for his buddy should factor in.

Yeah or we can gamble like we did with Perron. He was cheap because he had concussion problems. Not saying he is the answer but a guy like Vinny who is not having an amazing year in Philly could have some miles left on him. He is only 33 and adding a 6-4 veteran could help. I am not saying that he is on the market or that we SHOULD go for him but there are guys out there whose value is low, that just might need the right change of scenery.

Edit: I do like the idea of adding Ott or Legwand as well though.
- Hall Fan

Hypothetically having three scoring lines and a shut down line would be nice. Right now we have two scoring lines a shutdown line and a fourth line that steals time.

If we can have a forward group of

Hall gagner yak
Penner nuge Eberle
Perron Ott downie
Hendricks Gordon smyth/Gazdic/pitlick

with the top nine adjustable in many different ways this team has three lines that can score a line of good two way players who score and agitate and a fourth line capable of actually playing hockey (Gazdic can play in BoA and Van games and when we need to send a message)

Obviously defense is the main concern but this forward group helps with two way ability and functionality.

Edit: also the fourth line would not be a typical fourth line as it is capable of playing 10 minutes or more.

The other lines can be given ice time on merit. Say you want to double shift hall Penner can take a seat. Or Perron is having a great game can over take a player on either wing. I like having flexibility and I look at that group and would be satisfied. Now heather they can fit in our cap is a different question along with other additions on the blue line.

Did you just call your self an idiot?
- AlEx_OiL

Yup. He's right for once!

That is the level of talent that our team needs to be at. Look at LA for example with Mike Richards as a third line Center. Yak has the potential to be a top 6 player if given the chance. He is not there now. Gagner shows glimpses but he would be much better as a third line with a bigger center playing second. I am stealing part of this from Stauffer but at no point did I say we only needed two players. We just need the right filler to what we have already.
- Hall Fan

Your 3rd line should be at least competent defensively. Neither Gagner or Yak are qualified. Also, this is the salary cap era....we shouldn't be paying our 3C 5 million a year.

Sooooo..... We won......

Sooooo..... We won......
- HouseArrest187

Yes. and hall fan is an idiot. and You should text sluttager if you really love him

Keep up the winning you guys!

Keep up the winning you guys!
- bluengold12

(frank), this is gonna be depressing.