Either one of them and a prospect for Eberle.
- moondawg

Really the Oilers need someone like a Benning to step in there and make a bold trade for a veteran that can lead and score 20 goals. They have too many "untouchables" and not enough wins. They are afraid to make a move and are stuck where they are at.

Yep


If Richardson had Matthias' size... maybe he wouldn't play the same way.

Still hoping they keep Horvat up but expect to lose someone to waivers if they do...

And I am sure you are right about value, 2nd rd pick is too much to ask without there being more in the deal from our end.

I feel a bit sorry for Edmonton that they have such a hard time attracting free agents. Hiller or Miller would have made a world of difference there.
- hillbillydeluxe

Yep, he is absolutely more valuable to us than other teams

Richardson>>Matthias. This team is already horrible on faceoffs, trading arguably our top guy is a mistake. And Richardson is better defensively, more gritty, consistent and wouldn't complain in a 4th line role.


I wouldn't mind seeing Richardson extended.
- Nucker101

Something tells me you imagine this regularly

Richardson>>Matthias. This team is already horrible on faceoffs, trading arguably our top guy is a mistake. And Richardson is better defensively, more gritty, consistent and wouldn't complain in a 4th line role.


I wouldn't mind seeing Richardson extended.
- Nucker101

I hope Richardson is extended. Depth that fits into your lineup as seamlessly as he has is difficult to find. If he is outplayed by youth then I'd MUCH rather keep him as the 13th forward than Sestito. I think if someone gets knocked off the roster next year though, it will be a winger

Always great to read you're blogs ...keep up the good work.

The Oilers will try to rebound against the Phoenix Coyotes tonight before meeting up with the Canucks at Rexall Place on Friday.

I find it hard to refer to the team as Arizona also, are they doing any better with fan support (lack of)?

Also I have to agree with Vantel, we've heard the out of the box, mesmerizing quasi voodoo, look into my eyes...believe what I say crapola. Let's get past Christmas and see if the team bought in and are good enough to take the extra step.

I meet Herdman in Montreal at the womens U20 game against North Korea, seemed very engaging.

Something tells me you imagine this regularly
- 1970vintage

sick (frank)

Yep


If Richardson had Matthias' size... maybe he wouldn't play the same way.

Still hoping they keep Horvat up but expect to lose someone to waivers if they do...

And I am sure you are right about value, 2nd rd pick is too much to ask without there being more in the deal from our end.

I feel a bit sorry for Edmonton that they have such a hard time attracting free agents. Hiller or Miller would have made a world of difference there.
- hillbillydeluxe

At this point they shouldn't lose anyone to waivers when Horvat returns. Matthias/Hansen/Dorsett can rotate through the lineup to give Bo a chance to prove he belongs. If he does Benning can move a guy at that point or put Sestito through waivers, who most likely will clear.

Yeah, those guys aren't going to be in high demand. It would be like when Gillis picked up Higgins at the TDL. A solid bottom 6 player that you know is 90% more likely to have value than a 3rd round pick.

Gillis asked for Booth that TDL, Tallon asked him if he wanted Higgins for a pick after the Booth deal fell through at that TDL. Basically when you're shopping a bottom 6 player, you have to sell other GM's on the guy.
- Nucker101

I like Richardson more than Matthias too.

I just look at Edmonton and they need help in their bottom 6 and maybe if they had someone like Richardson there he could help a lot. Wouldn't skate regularly in their top 6 but could be on for face offs and such when needed and then come off similar to Manny when he was here.

As for the deal and how it comes about, I don't know. Guess you do whatever it takes to get the deal you want. Selling the bottom 6 guy, sweetening the pot, whatever.

As far as Matthias goes, I thought it was disappointing that he only had this season remaining until ufa kicked in.

Not sure where he should be playing, seemed to fall out of favor a bit with Florida and now he is on the 4th line, maybe he isn't worth much but has to be better than some of the options in Edmonton unless they are going with what they have and want to tank. again.

Something tells me you imagine this regularly
- 1970vintage

I hope Richardson is extended. Depth that fits into your lineup as seamlessly as he has is difficult to find. If he is outplayed by youth then I'd MUCH rather keep him as the 13th forward than Sestito. I think if someone gets knocked off the roster next year though, it will be a winger
- bezz44

No doubt.

I like Richardson more than Matthias too.

I just look at Edmonton and they need help in their bottom 6 and maybe if they had someone like Richardson there he could help a lot. Wouldn't skate regularly in their top 6 but could be on for face offs and such when needed and then come off similar to Manny when he was here.

As for the deal and how it comes about, I don't know. Guess you do whatever it takes to get the deal you want. Selling the bottom 6 guy, sweetening the pot, whatever.

As far as Matthias goes, I thought it was disappointing that he only had this season remaining until ufa kicked in.

Not sure where he should be playing, seemed to fall out of favor a bit with Florida and now he is on the 4th line, maybe he isn't worth much but has to be better than some of the options in Edmonton unless they are going with what they have and want to tank. again.
- hillbillydeluxe

Edmonton has bigger problems than the bottom 6, but yeah they desperately need another solid center.

I hope Richardson is extended. Depth that fits into your lineup as seamlessly as he has is difficult to find. If he is outplayed by youth then I'd MUCH rather keep him as the 13th forward than Sestito. I think if someone gets knocked off the roster next year though, it will be a winger
- bezz44

Right on.

But if Richardson thought this was the Canucks plan for him then I don't think he resigns here. Got the impression when he signed that he wanted the 3lc spot and would opt to play for another team that would give him more ice time.

Edmonton has bigger problems than the bottom 6, but yeah they desperately need another solid center.
- Nucker101

I find it ridiculous that they didn't address this need during the off-season. Even picking up a guy like Ebbett, Schroeder, Ryan Carter, Colin Fraser, Dalpe would go a long way in providing the young guys with some insulation.

The Oilers will try to rebound against the Phoenix Coyotes tonight before meeting up with the Canucks at Rexall Place on Friday.

- Makita

Oops. Totally forgot. Fixed now - thanks.

Seems the Panthers have taken over as the new whipping-boys for attendance issues.

I find it ridiculous that they didn't address this need during the off-season. Even picking up a guy like Ebbett, Schroeder, Ryan Carter, Colin Fraser, Dalpe would go a long way in providing the young guys with some insulation.
- belcherbd

Carter or a guy like Santorelli would have been nice for them. Those other guys are no better than Arcobello.

@CamTucker_Metro
#Canucks Bo Horvat: "I was getting a little stressed out being off the ice for so long after a good preseason..."

@benkuzma
Desjardins: "Bo (Horvat) looked good, but it (practice) is not the same intensity as a game. It's a step in the right direction.

@benkuzma
Desjardins: "I like Bo at centre and we have a lot of centres. It's a challenge. Somebody will have to go to the wing."

Carter or a guy like Santorelli would have been nice for them. Those other guys are no better than Arcobello.
- Nucker101

I agree and Arcobello isn't the problem, it's asking Draisaitl or Yakimov to play a role they are not ready for, signing some other depth C who can come in a play of those guys are not ready is what a good GM would do.

Edm continues to assume that their young players are going to be superstars right away, then they struggle and have no backup plan.

Rinse and Repeat and hope for the best with the new shiny toy.

I agree and Arcobello isn't the problem, it's asking Draisaitl or Yakimov to play a role they are not ready for, signing some other depth C who can come in a play of those guys are not ready is what a good GM would do.

Edm continues to assume that their young players are going to be superstars right away, then they struggle and have no backup plan.

Rinse and Repeat and hope for the best with the new shiny toy.
- belcherbd

Eakins is a major problem IMO, bigger than some of their fans would like to admit. Sending down Marincin because he isn't tough enough despite being one of their best d-men last year was stupid. Then he decides to sit Jeff Petry who is arguably their top d-man. And instead he plays AHL d-man Brad Hunt because he has a big slapshot but sucks at everything else and a teenager in Darnell Nurse.

Eakins is a major problem IMO, bigger than some of their fans would like to admit. Sending down Marincin because he isn't tough enough despite being one of their best d-men last year was stupid. Then he decides to sit Jeff Petry who is arguably their top d-man. And instead he plays AHL d-man Brad Hunt because he has a big slapshot but sucks at everything else and a teenager in Darnell Nurse.
- Nucker101

They have some very good players. It's unfathomable that they have not put together any decent hockey. That organization needs to be overhauled

Eakins is a major problem IMO, bigger than some of their fans would like to admit. Sending down Marincin because he isn't tough enough despite being one of their best d-men last year was stupid. Then he decides to sit Jeff Petry who is arguably their top d-man. And instead he plays AHL d-man Brad Hunt because he has a big slapshot but sucks at everything else and a teenager in Darnell Nurse.
- Nucker101

Problem goes deeper than Eakins though IMO, it starts with Katz and ends with MacTavish, or should I say Lowe. The Oilers as an organization are scared to part with any untouchables for fear it would bite them in the ass later. I think they're afraid if they trade any of RNH, Hall, Eberle, Yakupov that they'll lead another team to the Stanley Cup and they'll still be stuck in the basement. People seem to forget the reason Eakins did so well with the Marlies was because it's Toronto and owned by MLSE and was essentially run by the Maple Leafs themselves. Eakins would make a decent assistant coach in the NHL playing the Tortorella mould than a head coach.

Right on.

But if Richardson thought this was the Canucks plan for him then I don't think he resigns here. Got the impression when he signed that he wanted the 3lc spot and would opt to play for another team that would give him more ice time.
- hillbillydeluxe

Fair enough, I don't think his job is in jeopardy though. We have several options at 3/4C: Richardson, Matthias, Vey, Horvat - I think as of right now Richardson is the most suited, and that neither Matthias nor Vey have the capacity to supplant him. Horvat could very well improve/show enough to beat out Richardson but IMO that still leaves Rich with the 4C position until we get some more young bodies coming up from Utica

Problem goes deeper than Eakins though IMO, it starts with Katz and ends with MacTavish, or should I say Lowe. The Oilers as an organization are scared to part with any untouchables for fear it would bite them in the ass later. I think they're afraid if they trade any of RNH, Hall, Eberle, Yakupov that they'll lead another team to the Stanley Cup and they'll still be stuck in the basement. People seem to forget the reason Eakins did so well with the Marlies was because it's Toronto and owned by MLSE and was essentially run by the Maple Leafs themselves. Eakins would make a decent assistant coach in the NHL playing the Tortorella mould than a head coach.
- DariusKnight

He clearly hasn't delivered any of the promise that seemed to follow his name when he was a major contender for several coaching jobs

Problem goes deeper than Eakins though IMO, it starts with Katz and ends with MacTavish, or should I say Lowe. The Oilers as an organization are scared to part with any untouchables for fear it would bite them in the ass later. I think they're afraid if they trade any of RNH, Hall, Eberle, Yakupov that they'll lead another team to the Stanley Cup and they'll still be stuck in the basement. People seem to forget the reason Eakins did so well with the Marlies was because it's Toronto and owned by MLSE and was essentially run by the Maple Leafs themselves. Eakins would make a decent assistant coach in the NHL playing the Tortorella mould than a head coach.
- DariusKnight

God damn it!!!

Eakins is a major problem IMO, bigger than some of their fans would like to admit. Sending down Marincin because he isn't tough enough despite being one of their best d-men last year was stupid. Then he decides to sit Jeff Petry who is arguably their top d-man. And instead he plays AHL d-man Brad Hunt because he has a big slapshot but sucks at everything else and a teenager in Darnell Nurse.
- Nucker101

I agree Eakins has not been able to deliver, Kruger had more success than previous coaches had and as soon as Eakins is available the team jumped all over their new toy. How do you fire Eakins though at this point? These players have had so many different voices.

I liked the decision last year to let Nurse develop for another year, for EDM sake I hope they send him back as well as Draisaitl.

I agree Eakins has not been able to deliver, Kruger had more success than previous coaches had and as soon as Eakins is available the team jumped all over their new toy. How do you fire Eakins though at this point? These players have had so many different voices.

I liked the decision last year to let Nurse develop for another year, for EDM sake I hope they send him back as well as Draisaitl.
- belcherbd

Promote from within the organization maybe? Poll the players? At this point things cannot possibly get worse