I think so too, but you keep on hearing the rumblings of moving closer to minny for his wife
- DDM-Coga

He did seem to miss his family in an interview I saw like anyone would but would she move to Montreal? If not he is as good as gone. The guys got to be getting sick of being passed around the NHL like Lindsey Lohan though.

Interesting article: http://www.mc79hockey.com/?p=6926
- Morris

Read that the other day. Kinda puts things into perspective to not write a 20 year old off after a bad year

anyone follow the Oil kings much? it looks like the Avs signing Cody Corbett was a good pickup, but is he just a product of a good Kings too or is he a legit prospect?

Interesting article: http://www.mc79hockey.com/?p=6926
- Morris

You know what they say....1 out of 4 aint bad!!!

(frank) Morris I feel bad for you....you really love this team don't you?

While i don't think that gagner could fetch a 1st round pick, based more on his contract than the subpar year he had, i do think we could get a 2nd+ for him. In looking over the central scouting reports there appears to be a large crop of bigger defencemen (mostly american and european) that would be available in the 2nd round (rated between 30-75 was my basis). I think this is a good target for the oilers. Get a 2C with the third overall pick, send gagner for a 2nd which nets us a D prospect who can have a few years to develop. IMO beyond Ekblad there is no D prospect likely ready to jump into the NHL in the next few years or so, so why not take a guy in the 2nd.

That said, if we can get him for a 1st then absolutely do that and take the BPA

Anyone hear about the goalie prospects for this year? fucale/jarry/comrie seemed to be talked about more than this year's group. I like what we have in brossoit now, but always good to draft one if available, especially if he is european and can gain experience out of the limited space on the barons and condors.

Watson will never be as good as Gagner is now
- Ihatebrianburke

Please don't talk about prospects' futures with such indiscriminate certainty. Have you seen the guy play on more than a few occasions? Do you own a functioning time machine?

While i don't think that gagner could fetch a 1st round pick, based more on his contract than the subpar year he had, i do think we could get a 2nd+ for him. In looking over the central scouting reports there appears to be a large crop of bigger defencemen (mostly american and european) that would be available in the 2nd round (rated between 30-75 was my basis). I think this is a good target for the oilers. Get a 2C with the third overall pick, send gagner for a 2nd which nets us a D prospect who can have a few years to develop. IMO beyond Ekblad there is no D prospect likely ready to jump into the NHL in the next few years or so, so why not take a guy in the 2nd.

That said, if we can get him for a 1st then absolutely do that and take the BPA

Anyone hear about the goalie prospects for this year? fucale/jarry/comrie seemed to be talked about more than this year's group. I like what we have in brossoit now, but always good to draft one if available, especially if he is european and can gain experience out of the limited space on the barons and condors.
- massa_3

I've heard Demko and two others (their names elude me currently) are considered top-end goalie prospects. Beyond that, I wouldn't know.

You know what they say....1 out of 4 aint bad!!!

(frank) Morris I feel bad for you....you really love this team don't you?
- The-O-G

Yakupov could easily bust. If he does, we've already seen how it might happen.

But I wouldn't call him a bust yet.

Man I hate those emoticons...

Read that the other day. Kinda puts things into perspective to not write a 20 year old off after a bad year
- CrustyRooster

Good article thanks. Though I saw an interview with Lowe and Gretzky and the Great one was joking that Lowes shot tipped off Gretz stick making it his goal. Reviews weren't the greatest then. Not that it matters just throwing it out there. With Wayne getting his money finally from Phoenix and his grudge over maybe he is ready to get back into the NHL in some forum. Would be nice to see him with a job in Edmonton. His presence around the team could only help. Might be reaching but I am a huge fan of Wayne and I would do anything to change around this Mickey Mouse hockey club.

OG somehow you got the idea that I'm some kool aid slurping moron. But you always drop a one-liner and then never explain what it is about my opinions that offends you.

I'm not trying to be biased here. Can we get a dialogue going? Do you want to even try to have a discussion?

OG somehow you got the idea that I'm some kool aid slurping moron. But you always drop a one-liner and then never explain what it is about my opinions that offends you.

I'm not trying to be biased here. Can we get a dialogue going? Do you want to even try to have a discussion?
- Morris

Haha...I'm just ragging on you. No hard feelings.

Mainly it's just because your attitude is always so positive towards the Oilers. If I was a fan I would be losing my mind right about now!

Yakupov could easily bust. If he does, we've already seen how it might happen.

But I wouldn't call him a bust yet.

Man I hate those emoticons...
- Morris

Not being rude but yak cant have a worse season then this year so its all up hill for him I think. Just hope he hasn't lost all his confidence. Maybe it was good for him to get a gut punch. We will know the answer after 40 games next year.

I think Vanek found a good fit in Montreal.
- time2produce

Gallagher? Eller? PK?

I've heard Demko and two others (their names elude me currently) are considered top-end goalie prospects. Beyond that, I wouldn't know.
- MaximumBone

Edm can use another good goalie prospect. Not so sure about bunz anymore.

Please don't talk about prospects' futures with such indiscriminate certainty. Have you seen the guy play on more than a few occasions? Do you own a functioning time machine?
- MaximumBone

Gagner>Watson

Anybody know if Hall, Ebs and Nuge are going to the Worlds?

Haha...I'm just ragging on you. No hard feelings.

Mainly it's just because your attitude is always so positive towards the Oilers. If I was a fan I would be losing my mind right about now!
- The-O-G

I'm positive about lots of teams. The Oilers for example need a #1 dman more than any team has ever needed one, and with no apparent way to get one and no clout to convince one to come even if one reaches free agency, but all this talk about the Oilers needing 3 top 4 dmen and 5 new forwards is just fans running around with their heads cut off, so I like to inject a little zen into the discussion

There are very few teams I just plain don't like the future of. And for those teams it's only cause their owner is Eugene Melnyk.

Anybody know if Hall, Ebs and Nuge are going to the Worlds?
- BigDre

Hall and Ebs no. Taking care of injuries. Nuge undecided.

Haha...I'm just ragging on you. No hard feelings.

Mainly it's just because your attitude is always so positive towards the Oilers. If I was a fan I would be losing my mind right about now!
- The-O-G

Calgary isn't far off from becoming the new Oilers. Need a number 1 goalie and if you lose Cammalleri for nothing things could be ugly for awhile. I think Monahan is good but could have a Yak set back next year. Gio is a bright spot though had a great year.

Gallagher? Eller? PK?
- Aetherial

?

?
- time2produce

All need new contracts I believe, so how can they afford Vanek? Thats my guess

Anybody know if Hall, Ebs and Nuge are going to the Worlds?
- BigDre

I hope none of them go. Shultz too. I hope they all heal any injuries and then hit the gym hard this summer. Everyone could use 10 pounds of muscle in the group

All need new contracts I believe, so how can they afford Vanek? Thats my guess
- DDM-Coga

Awww who cares its Montreal that's there problem hahaha

Calgary isn't far off from becoming the new Oilers. Need a number 1 goalie and if you lose Cammalleri for nothing things could be ugly for awhile. I think Monahan is good but could have a Yak set back next year. Gio is a bright spot though had a great year.
- time2produce

Haha....well give them a bit of time would you???

I think the Flames already have a solid goalie (Ramo) with some great prospects coming up: Ortio in Abbottsford (named to the all rookie team) and also Gillies down in the NCAA.

Not only that but the Flames D core is far ahead of what the Oilers was and still is to this day. Giordano, Brodie, Wideman, and Russell are a solid top 4. We still have Smid and Butler (maybe) bringing up the rear, and also have Wotherspoon and Seiloff ready to make the jump soon.

Between Monahan, Baertschi, Gaudreau, Klimchuk, Poirier, Jankowski (JK JK) and whoever they get this year, I think the forwards aren't looking too bad either. With this years growth of Backlund, Colbourne, Bouma and Byron, I think the Flames are well on their way.

So suck on that.

I hope none of them go. Shultz too. I hope they all heal any injuries and then hit the gym hard this summer. Everyone could use 10 pounds of muscle in the group
- Ihatebrianburke

Its a short Tournament. I am sure you can still eat and workout at the Worlds. You are right though they could use 10 pounds of experience that they wont be getting at Oil City or there couches playing video games. Judging by Oil change they like video games a little to much.