Not much of a loss. With the emergence of Klefbom and Marincin at the end of the year plus Nurse possibly being on the team, we need some more experienced NHL defenders to show these young guys the ropes. Hopefully he takes his poopty partner from Russia, Grebeshkov back with him.
- Ihatebrianburke

Are D will crumble without Belov an Grebeshkov

The guy is completely out to lunch. He knows (frank) all about hockey. It makes me mad that people follow the guy and take what he says to heart. He gives Oilers fans a bad name
- Ihatebrianburke

Agreed. He has only a cursory understanding of hockey/the oilers, and manufactures discontent whenever he can (the kids vs vets locker room BS).

Doesn't take a genius to see that whatever happens to Perron, Gagner, Yakupov they'd likely be better apart than they would together next year. And everything else he said was bunk.

Are D will crumble without Belov an Grebeshkov
- time2produce

I have faith in MacT to fix the D just as he has with the goaltending situation

I have faith in MacT to fix the D just as he has with the goaltending situation
- Ihatebrianburke

Lets hope. I doubt it would happen but do you think Spezza would help? It would help to shield Nuge for a year or two till he adds more size and gets better. What would it take to get him here? I doubt he would come here just spit balling.

I have faith in MacT to fix the D just as he has with the goaltending situation
- Ihatebrianburke

Bingo!

Don't get me wrong, I think that Ference was a great signing, but he is not a top-4 dman that will solve our problems.

Lets hope. I doubt it would happen but do you think Spezza would help? It would help to shield Nuge for a year or two till he adds more size and gets better. What would it take to get him here? I doubt he would come here just spit balling.
- time2produce

I'd love for Spezza to sign here. I think Nuge should spend this season training with Gary Roberts.

Lets hope. I doubt it would happen but do you think Spezza would help? It would help to shield Nuge for a year or two till he adds more size and gets better. What would it take to get him here? I doubt he would come here just spit balling.
- time2produce

Not worth it imo.

Nuge will come into camp over 200 lbs.

I'd love for Spezza to sign here. I think Nuge should spend this season training with Gary Roberts.
- ChetManly

You are aware that he has put on 9 lbs of muscle since September and is talking about gaining another 8-10 over the next 4 months?

Lets hope. I doubt it would happen but do you think Spezza would help? It would help to shield Nuge for a year or two till he adds more size and gets better. What would it take to get him here? I doubt he would come here just spit balling.
- time2produce

I find it hard to believe that Ottawa would get rid of him, especially the way he, Michalek, and Hemsky were gelling at the end of the year. With Hemsky resigning with them apparently contingent on them keeping Spezza I don't think they should trade him.

I find it hard to believe that Ottawa would get rid of him, especially the way he, Michalek, and Hemsky were gelling at the end of the year. With Hemsky resigning with them apparently contingent on them keeping Spezza I don't think they should trade him.
- Ihatebrianburke

rumours suggest the whole line might go somewhere like Florida or NYI

That would be insane: offense in a box.

I find it hard to believe that Ottawa would get rid of him, especially the way he, Michalek, and Hemsky were gelling at the end of the year. With Hemsky resigning with them apparently contingent on them keeping Spezza I don't think they should trade him.
- Ihatebrianburke

We would lose the trade to get him anyways was just throwing it out there. I think he would help Nuge an are team a great deal. If Heatley an Vanek wont come here there is no way we get a player like Spezza till we start making the playoffs.

What's with everyone's sudden "love" for Marco Roy? The kid didn't have a good year because of injuries and he's not having a great playoffs either. He's a longterm project that more than likely won't pan out. I don't have a hate on for him at all just trying to understand what's with the sudden love affair with him? As far as that pick goes I still wish we took Eric Comrie
- Ihatebrianburke

He's still a solid prospect that has middle-6 NHL upside. He's a hardworking and fast 2-way forward that unfortunately suffered some injuries this past season. The reason I think he was suddenly being brought up is because the majority of NHL fans don't like to talk about prospects during the regular season. Now that the regular season and there's little else to talk about, it makes sense that he would get brought up.

He's still a solid prospect that has middle-6 NHL upside. He's a hardworking and fast 2-way forward that unfortunately suffered some injuries this past season. The reason I think he was suddenly being brought up is because the majority of NHL fans don't like to talk about prospects during the regular season. Now that the regular season and there's little else to talk about, it makes sense that he would get brought up.
- MaximumBone

And I was just talking about him yesterday because he happened to be playing in an old-fashioned arcade-style 8-7 OT game 7.

rumours suggest the whole line might go somewhere like Florida or NYI

That would be insane: offense in a box.
- Morris

Could happen if Spezza pushes for an off season trade. Nice Gift to whichever team they go to.Instant high end 2nd line.

I'd love for Spezza to sign here. I think Nuge should spend this season training with Gary Roberts.
- ChetManly

Meh...it would be through trade unless you want to wait a year.Cost us a first too.

You are aware that he has put on 9 lbs of muscle since September and is talking about gaining another 8-10 over the next 4 months?
- Iggysbff

Yes, but muscle doesn't always mean that your speed, agility and explosiveness is maintained. I'm sure he will be great come camp. But from what I've heard, there really isn't anyone better than Gary Roberts for training purposes.

Meh...it would be through trade unless you want to wait a year.Cost us a first too.
- Jeropotato

Would they settle for a 2016 1st?

Could happen if Spezza pushes for an off season trade. Nice Gift to whichever team they go to.Instant high end 2nd line.
- Jeropotato

hypothetical:

New York Islanders trade Cal Clutterbuck, Michael Grabner and a pick with some salary retention for Jason Spezza. Then they sign the other two

Bailey/Neilson-Tavares-Okposo
Michalek-Spezza-Hemsky

PS, I like thinking of the biggest even trades I can think of, and I've been working on making this one nice and even for a while but I need advice.

Vancouver acquires
Jordan Staal
Eric Staal
Jeff Skinner

Carolina acquires
Henrik Sedin
Daniel Sedin
Ryan Kesler
??

what does Vancouver add?

hypothetical:

New York Islanders trade Cal Clutterbuck, Michael Grabner and a pick with some salary retention for Jason Spezza. Then they sign the other two

Bailey/Neilson-Tavares-Okposo
Michalek-Spezza-Hemsky


- Morris

Solid Top 6. They get a goalie and they might not be giving Buffalo a lottery pick in 2015

PS, I like thinking of the biggest even trades I can think of, and I've been working on making this one nice and even for a while but I need advice.

Vancouver acquires
Jordan Staal
Eric Staal
Jeff Skinner

Carolina acquires
Henrik Sedin
Daniel Sedin
Ryan Kesler
??


what does Vancouver add?
- Morris

Why would either team do this?

A few D to target this off season
Pitkanen, Meszaros, Quincey, Orpik, Klesla, Greene, Morris, Niskanen, Nikitin, Hainsey,

I know there not the greatest D but with the loses of Greb, Belov, and most likely Fraser they need to be replaced and it would be awesome if we brought in upgrades.

hypothetical:

New York Islanders trade Cal Clutterbuck, Michael Grabner and a pick with some salary retention for Jason Spezza. Then they sign the other two

Bailey/Neilson-Tavares-Okposo
Michalek-Spezza-Hemsky


- Morris

Ottawa needs D though. Not more forwards. And the Islanders have none to give up.

PS, I like thinking of the biggest even trades I can think of, and I've been working on making this one nice and even for a while but I need advice.

Vancouver acquires
Jordan Staal
Eric Staal
Jeff Skinner

Carolina acquires
Henrik Sedin
Daniel Sedin
Ryan Kesler
??

what does Vancouver add?
- Morris

The only reason Carolina was rumoured to moving those guys is beacause they want to cut salary. So no way do they take back 20 mill + in salary while shipping out 20.

A few D to target this off season
Pitkanen, Meszaros, Quincey, Orpik, Klesla, Greene, Morris, Niskanen, Nikitin, Hainsey,

I know there not the greatest D but with the loses of Greb, Belov, and most likely Fraser they need to be replaced and it would be awesome if we brought in upgrades.
- time2produce

I agree in theory. Don't think Pitkanen would come back here, No to Orpik, no to Rusty, but the rest would be good additions for sure.