Do the lottery balls have team logos on them instead of numbers? Honestly the probability of winning the first pick was so slight between 2nd and 3rd that worrying about that last game against Vancouver is just a waste of time.

Marco Roy is playing for Blainville-Boisbriand in a RIDICULOUS 2nd round game 7 against Rimouski. 4-0 Rimouski after 1, 5-4 for Rimouski after 2.
Roy has a 1g 2a so far (9 in 13 playoff games)
- Morris

I wonder if he goes to OKC next year or they send him back to Blainville as an overeager. Late '94 bday

Is it bad that I was more please with Vancouver and Toronto not winning as opposed to Edmonton staying third

Do the lottery balls have team logos on them instead of numbers? Honestly the probability of winning the first pick was so slight between 2nd and 3rd that worrying about that last game against Vancouver is just a waste of time.
- Jack-artist

Disagree. If Buffalo won, they'd pass on Ekblad for a forward IMO. The odds of either the last two teams in the lottery winning it are high and we just saw how the 2 seed has now won 3 years consec. Those stud D don't grow on trees, especially righties. That's why I was happy when Florida pulled ahead late last week.

I wonder if he goes to OKC next year or they send him back to Blainville as an overeager. Late '94 bday
- TheNugeIsHuge

Missed a lot of the year with an injury. So he's just finding his sea legs again and could probably be an 80 point guy for them as an overager.

Then again, they're not a young team really, they've sorta peaked and have 11 guys older than him this year so we'll see what becomes of the team. If he stays in the Q, I dunno if he'll stay with them

Disagree. If buffalo won, they'd pass on Ekblad for a forward IMO. The odds of either the last two teams in the lottery winning it are high and we just saw how the 2 seed has now won 3 years con sec. Those stud D don't grow on trees, especially righties. That's why I was happy when Florida pulled ahead late last week.
- haymac

I think you're pinning too much on an 18 year old becoming a top NHL defenseman some time soon. I don't believe he'll bust, but there's a reasonable he ends up taking a few years to get good. Guys like Erik Johnson and Zach Bogosian were talked about similarly in their draft years and have taken years to become top pairing guys. I'd love to have either guy but I don't really want to wait a few years because that's likely what it will take.

Disagree. If Buffalo won, they'd pass on Ekblad for a forward IMO. The odds of either the last two teams in the lottery winning it are high and we just saw how the 2 seed has now won 3 years consec. Those stud D don't grow on trees, especially righties. That's why I was happy when Florida pulled ahead late last week.
- haymac

You don't know if Ekblad'll be a stud D, and if he will be it won't be for 3-4 years at least

You don't know if Ekblad'll be a stud D, and if he will be it won't be for 3-4 years at least
- TheNugeIsHuge

The one thing that Ekblad solidifies is the increasing likelihood that in 3-4 years the Oilers will have a #1 dman. Whether it's Marincin, Nurse, Klefbom, Schultz, Petry or Ekblad, stuffing the ballot box with Ekblad makes you feel that much more confident...

I think you're pinning too much on an 18 year old becoming a top NHL defenseman some time soon. I don't believe he'll bust, but there's a reasonable he ends up taking a few years to get good. Guys like Erik Johnson and Zach Bogosian were talked about similarly in their draft years and have taken years to become top pairing guys. I'd love to have either guy but I don't really want to wait a few years because that's likely what it will take.
- Jack-artist

This. Hedman 3 years. Pietrangelo 4 years. Some take more time and some never become studs.

The one thing that Ekblad solidifies is the increasing likelihood that in 3-4 years the Oilers will have a #1 dman. Whether it's Marincin, Nurse, Klefbom, Schultz, Petry or Ekblad, stuffing the ballot box with Ekblad makes you feel that much more confident...
- Morris

screw you and your common sense!

I think you're pinning too much on an 18 year old becoming a top NHL defenseman some time soon. I don't believe he'll bust, but there's a reasonable he ends up taking a few years to get good. Guys like Erik Johnson and Zach Bogosian were talked about similarly in their draft years and have taken years to become top pairing guys. I'd love to have either guy but I don't really want to wait a few years because that's likely what it will take.
- Jack-artist

That's always the risk, especially with D. Consensus seems that he's NHL ready now, but not as a top D in his first couple of years. That's been a problem with Oiler management putting guys who really aren't ready in top 4 D positions. So, now that we lost him, i'd rather trade the pick. I don't think we could get a #1 or 2 D for the pick alone.
Even if we could get Ekblad, I'd like to see some trades to get a #1 or 2 with experience to help our younger guys grow into better players.

This. Hedman 3 years. Pietrangelo 4 years. Some take more time and some never become studs.
- Iggysbff

Zdeno Chara took 2 seasons as an AHL/NHL tweener, two more seasons as a top 4 dman, changed organizations, played 3 seasons as a #2 dman in Ottawa, then as a marginal #1, then changed organizations again before becoming a true #1 dman at age 28.

This is our pal Giordano's first season as a revered #1 dman, and he just turned 30.

'nuff said.

You don't know if Ekblad'll be a stud D, and if he will be it won't be for 3-4 years at least
- TheNugeIsHuge

Are you guys going to be anything special in 3-4 years regardless?

Zdeno Chara took 2 seasons as an AHL/NHL tweener, two more seasons as a top 4 dman, changed organizations, played 3 seasons as a #2 dman in Ottawa, then as a marginal #1, then changed organizations again before becoming a true #1 dman at age 28.

This is our pal Giordano's first season as a revered #1 dman, and he just turned 30.

'nuff said.
- Morris

Yeah you never know where they'll come from. Centres and well, forwards are bit of the reverse. Would have been happy to have Ek (lol), but he's not the sole option out there, just seemed like the most available.

Are you guys going to be anything special in 3-4 years regardless?
- AdamFrench

barring any of the kids asking for a trade, I see us as a perennial playoff team in 3-4 years.

unless you were talking about us hockeybuzz posters. In which case I'll have you know I'm planning on going back to school, man.

Are you guys going to be anything special in 3-4 years regardless?
- AdamFrench

Suck it Frenchie !!!

Oooh Yeah !!!!!

This Q game 7 is insane right now. 7-7 after regulation. Five 3rd period goals.

Can't win it every year guys...just keep your heads up and come back stronger in 2015
- keatondixon

Piss off, wanker!

Are you guys going to be anything special in 3-4 years regardless?
- AdamFrench

Shut up!

barring any of the kids asking for a trade, I see us as a perennial playoff team in 3-4 years.

unless you were talking about us hockeybuzz posters. In which case I'll have you know I'm planning on going back to school, man.
- Morris

Well I'd gamble 2-3 years of mediocrity for a top flight defender, that's what the Kings wen through and it seems to have worked out favourably. Helps they jettisoned the Minus King Jack Mother(frank)ing Johnson

I feel like Tambellini should host the draft lottery

I feel like Tambellini should host the draft lottery
- patheticgirl43

He's got experience with it for sure.

Suck it Frenchie !!!

Oooh Yeah !!!!!
- Reveen

Snap it to a slim Jim oooooohhhh yyyyeeeaaahhh

OilersNow ‏@OilersNow Mar 20

"It would be a huge honour to be drafted by the Oilers. To wear that uniform one day would be the greatest thing ever for me." Draisaitl.

...

OilersNow ‏@OilersNow Mar 20

"It would be a huge honour to be drafted by the Oilers. To wear that uniform one day would be the greatest thing ever for me." Draisaitl.

...
- deks1

Wow that's awesome.