Probably because there are expectations this year. If they don't crawl out of the basement, what the (frank) do they do? There HAS to be some improvement.
- abware

I know. And if they suck, it's gonna be horrible. Might have to be a casual fan or start following another sport, lol

Probably because there are expectations this year. If they don't crawl out of the basement, what the (frank) do they do? There HAS to be some improvement.
- abware

Weren't there expectations last year as well? I remember being worried about them. Turns out I should have been worried about every other team in the league as well.

I know. And if they suck, it's gonna be horrible. Might have to be a casual fan or start following another sport, lol
- Jeropotato

Can it really get any worse? I think we've made it through the worst we should see for a long while. Even worst case scenario, at least there are a lot of trade chips and young Dmen. I am really looking forward to some decent hockey for a change and I really, really hope it starts this season. We've come this far with this team...

Alright then.
- Yeti1181

I always knew you were just a puppet

Weren't there expectations last year as well? I remember being worried about them. Turns out I should have been worried about every other team in the league as well.
- CubanBuffet

Yup but the one mistake was changing of the Coach, some fan's were looking for improvement from the short season before that but it was a step back last season for sure.

Weren't there expectations last year as well? I remember being worried about them. Turns out I should have been worried about every other team in the league as well.
- CubanBuffet

There were a lot more holes and questions. Goaltending and defense mainly. But yes they under performed and underwhelmed last season. The longer it goes, the higher the expectation and nerves. Damn I want to watch meaningful hockey again.

Thought this was a cool pic.

Yup but the one mistake was changing of the Coach, some fan's were looking for improvement from the short season before that but it was a step back last season for sure.
- AlEx_OiL

And having a largely AHL defense in front of a goalie who played ECHL quality.

Can it really get any worse? I think we've made it through the worst we should see for a long while. Even worst case scenario, at least there are a lot of trade chips and young Dmen. I am really looking forward to some decent hockey for a change and I really, really hope it starts this season. We've come this far with this team...
- abware

The team has improved. It's gotten better in net. When healthy they have like 6 actual NHLers on defence and they have the best top9 wingers they've had in like ever.

But their center depth sucks. It flat out sucks. It'll only get worse once Arcobello or Draisaitl get initiated to the team by blowing out both their shoulders in the same game.

Even if they're healthy, did the team really improve enough to pass anyone in the standings besides like Phoenix, Calgary and Winnipeg? Every other team got legitimately better as well or was already significantly better.

The team has improved. It's gotten better in net. When healthy they have like 6 actual NHLers on defence and they have the best top9 wingers they've had in like ever.

But their center depth sucks. It flat out sucks. It'll only get worse once Arcobello or Draisaitl get initiated to the team by blowing out both their shoulders in the same game.

Even if they're healthy, did the team really improve enough to pass anyone in the standings besides like Phoenix, Calgary and Winnipeg? Every other team got legitimately better as well or was already significantly better.
- DTF69

I have near zero hope for playoffs. But if we jump Phoenix, Calgary, and Winnipeg and are fighting with Van and Minni for a wild card spot in mid March I would be ecstatic.

It's time for all the guys who won't make this team to be sent down or away, these players should be building chemistry with their potential linemates now in time for the season. Also let's get Will Acton the hell out of camp and let him take Joensuu and Lander too, those guys shouldn't be on this team come the start of the season. Oh and on a side note, how in the hell does Sestito actually have a NHL contract? He is useless lol

I have near zero hope for playoffs. But if we jump Phoenix, Calgary, and Winnipeg and are fighting with Van and Minni for a wild card spot in mid March I would be ecstatic.
- abware

I think the team is good enough to finish around where Winnipeg did last season in a best-case-but-not-absurd-best-case scenario.

Honestly, if the team can put up 80+ points I think all Oiler fans should circle jerk it.

I don't have a good feeling about the Wild for whatever reason. They're basically the New York Jets and I could see them hitting a rough stretch and losing enough ground in-division to find themselves in like 11th.

I think the team is good enough to finish around where Winnipeg did last season in a best-case-but-not-absurd-best-case scenario.

Honestly, if the team can put up 80+ points I think all Oiler fans should circle jerk it.
- DTF69

Hell, I'm in.

The team has improved. It's gotten better in net. When healthy they have like 6 actual NHLers on defence and they have the best top9 wingers they've had in like ever.

But their center depth sucks. It flat out sucks. It'll only get worse once Arcobello or Draisaitl get initiated to the team by blowing out both their shoulders in the same game.

Even if they're healthy, did the team really improve enough to pass anyone in the standings besides like Phoenix, Calgary and Winnipeg? Every other team got legitimately better as well or was already significantly better.
- DTF69

It'll all come down to regression and failing to meet expectations as far as I see it.

While their offense was significantly bolstered this off-season, the Stars' defense is still middling at best. If either of Dillon or Jo. Benn take a step back, they're on pretty thin ice (that ice being Goligoski, Daley, and the perpetual injury-risk Lehtonen).

Anaheim is banking on two rookie tenders to carry their hopes. I trust Andersen, but Bobkov is a question mark and Gibson hasn't looked good this preseason. That in combination with young offense and a middling D, you have potential for a collapse.

We all know the deal with Colorado.

The Wild are putting a lot of faith in young guys (Nino, Coyle, Haula, Granlund, and Brodin) and have a shaky goaltending situation.

And I think Nashville could be passable. Bringing a coach who- stylistically- is pretty much the polar opposite of the one your stars (aside from Neal) have spent their careers playing behind could be more of a shock than people think. That being said, however, I doubt there's that much of an issue. They're likely a lock to battle for the playoffs.

All I'm saying is there's room for movement in the West. Maybe not as much as in the East, but still enough to justify an argument that, given things going very right, the Oilers could be in the fight for a playoff spot in late-March.

I don't have a good feeling about the Wild for whatever reason. They're basically the New York Jets and I could see them hitting a rough stretch and losing enough ground in-division to find themselves in like 11th.
- DTF69

Where do you see the Canucks finishing this year?

It's time for all the guys who won't make this team to be sent down or away, these players should be building chemistry with their potential linemates now in time for the season. Also let's get Will Acton the hell out of camp and let him take Joensuu and Lander too, those guys shouldn't be on this team come the start of the season. Oh and on a side note, how in the hell does Sestito actually have a NHL contract? He is useless lol
- Horseguts

I think the team is set, and the only reason cuts haven't been made is that all the Oilers games are B2B's.

They know by now who they want between Aulie and Hunt, and Pitlick/Joensu/Lander/Pinizotto. Or they should.

I'd honestly love to see them play some of the guys like Klefbom, Nurse, LEON! and Pitlick in the B2B games to wrap up. Its not gonna tell you how well they'll do in a 3 in 4 nights, but I think it'd be good for them to get used to a little wear and tear if they're gonna start the season considering the injuries.

Where do you see the Canucks finishing this year?
- abware

8-10

Where do you see the Canucks finishing this year?
- abware

4th, but I can see 3rd.

They had everything that could go wrong, go wrong last year. If they can get any kind of consistent second line play from Bonino-Burrows-Kassian, and the Twins remember how to be the Twins then the team is in fine shape. No more greatness, but not poop-tier.

I cover it in more depth here
http://talkingbaws.com/20...preview-pacific-division/

You've got more confidence in Oiler management than most Fans. Hey, we've got the majority of our first dozen games at home. Pre-season is almost done and we've still got a lot of cuts to make. I'd prefer to see the Team concentrate on fitting in the new guys signed this summer to be as ready as possible coming out of the gate.
MacT has made some positive moves but he's still learning and has made some mistakes. I've liked him as a Player and he's no dummy. He's earned his Masters but there's no substitute for experience and he's still in early days as a GM.
- haymac

Maybe you know what most fans think, maybe you don't. I hear what you're saying on giving time for guys to gel, but how much of a gain was that in the lockout season for the Oil? I read an interview earlier to he point that the first 20 games of the season are a warm up for everyone anyways.

I don't think MacT's made any real mistakes. He didn't find a 2c, but he probably dodged bullets on the only crap deals that were available to him. No. 1 D men aren't exactly readily available. He ditched Smid which while I didn't like at the time now think was the right move. He signed some top 2-4 dmen in the off season and gave the D a chance to have mostly NHL players on it for the first time in years, and making the prospects fight their way in. added size in the top 6 without screwing us on the cap ceiling...

You're entitled to your opinion, but I don't get it

edit: the tkachev thing wasn't his fault, but it was the fault of a guy he trusts.

It'll all come down to regression and failing to meet expectations as far as I see it.

While their offense was significantly bolstered this off-season, the Stars' defense is still middling at best. If either of Dillon or Jo. Benn take a step back, they're on pretty thin ice (that ice being Goligoski, Daley, and the perpetual injury-risk Lehtonen).

Anaheim is banking on two rookie tenders to carry their hopes. I trust Andersen, but Bobkov is a question mark and Gibson hasn't looked good this preseason. That in combination with young offense and a middling D, you have potential for a collapse.

We all know the deal with Colorado.

And I think Nashville could be passable. Bringing a coach who- stylistically- is pretty much the polar opposite of the one your stars (aside from Neal) have spent their careers playing behind could be more of a shock than people think. That being said, however, I doubt there's that much of an issue. They're likely a lock to battle for the playoffs.
- MaximumBone

I'm with you for the most part. I don't see the Stars in really that bad of shape unless tragedy strikes their defence.

Anaheim won't win the division, but I don't see them really missing the playoffs.

Colorado blows. But Nashville missed by like 3 points last year and that was without Rinne. Now they have an actual top six for the first time since Paul Kariya. I think they're in for sure.

I cover that stuff in more depth here (for the Oilers/Ducks/Nucks) http://talkingbaws.com/20...preview-pacific-division/ and the Central teams here http://talkingbaws.com/20...preview-central-division/

When I see people having Anaheim repeat the division crown I cringe.

They're without 5 of their top-9 forwards from last year, 2 of their top 8 defence and 2 of their top three goaltenders.

They're relying on a lot of prospect growth and Gibson to become Tuuka Rask.

That what you're face looks like in real life eh Bloated?
- Byfuglien Ate Me

I hope you don't think that's me.

Hell, I'm in.
- abware

If they make the playoffs, sure i'm in

If they make the playoffs, sure i'm in
- BigDre

You've already shown your Richard to most of your family and neighbors. I knew you would be in.