Kessel for the leadership award??
- Oilfan19

I can't, it drives me nuts when people spew garbage and think its genius.

What the (frank) are we trying to save this year that we wouldn't want to try and get Yakupov going and not break up the "success" of our top 2 lines?

Cleary me and Dangles have a different idea of what success is.

But I do respect him as a poster, i just don't agree with what he's saying
- SpoiledByOil

Everything I post is genius. Eakins tried playing Yakupov for almost 18 minutes a night before he got fired and it produced no results. Yakupov just sucks, his shooting percentages have dropped from 20% his rookie season to ~5% this year.

Don't play him on the top 2 lines, fine, but you won't convince me Purcell deserves to be on the #1 PP over him
- SpoiledByOil

This... Purcell is useless as a PP specialist - I would rather have Smytty of last year on the PP than Purcell... Same goes for Shoot out selections... Maybe let Hendricks rest and let players like Yak or Nuge or Hall try considering that is what the (frank) they were drafted for...

Yak and Horcs had a great connection.
- ChetManly

Horcoff was clearly a bigger part of this team than most(including myself) gave him credit for.

This... Purcell is useless as a PP specialist - I would rather have Smytty of last year on the PP than Purcell... Same goes for Shoot out selections... Maybe let Hendricks rest and let players like Yak or Nuge or Hall try considering that is what the (frank) they were drafted for...
- saskoil21

I would rather try one of the big boys on the PP instead of Yakupov honestly. Fraser would be a nice guy to have in front of the net for screens.

(frank) man, would of been brutal. I used to fill propane at work and that poop sucked at only -30some. Your gloves would be completely frozen
- Oilfan19

yeah, long johns, pants, snow pants, two thick wool socks and it was still bitter cold.

I'm laughing about it right now in Ottawa being -30 because everyone is freaking out.

They tried to make Yak something he simply is not. Teach him defensive basics but don't try to make him into some two-way god. The kid was meant to score goals. Now his confidence and gameplay is all (frank)ed up. I don't blame Eakins for everything but I think that one is squarely on him, trying to fit a round peg into a square hole.

yeah, long johns, pants, snow pants, two thick wool socks and it was still bitter cold.

I'm laughing about it right now in Ottawa being -30 because everyone is freaking out.
- ChetManly

(frank) it was like -15 here yesterday and I could of worn shorts

Horcoff was clearly a bigger part of this team than most(including myself) gave him credit for.
- Dangles13

Yeah, we are really coming to see that nowadays. It really just came down to him not being the leader we needed and his price tag.

Aww, thanks for the response buddy

Yeah, that's the fear, if he can't produce in the AHL either than there's a waste of a pick.

BUT, since that's not the case, It'll be interesting to see how Nelson works with Yakupov. With the way he has handled a lot of the other younger guys, I can see Nelson reviving Yak's confidence.

I do believe that if Yakupov can have Nuge for the rest of the season, and told just to go out and shoot the puck, we will see the change happen and get Yakupov back on track.
- ChetManly

The season is toast- Hall got all the luxuries when he started on this team of prime players and prime minutes for more than a period... May as well try to prevent a daigle and try to get Yak going so we could at least get something via trade deadline or trade at the draft table... its not like we are pushing for the playoffs

I would rather try one of the big boys on the PP instead of Yakupov honestly. Fraser would be a nice guy to have in front of the net for screens.
- Dangles13

I posted yesterday the article on ON. The write up literally makes me think he will become our best replacement for what Smythy could do on the ice and the PP.

They tried to make Yak something he simply is not. Teach him defensive basics but don't try to make him into some two-way god. The kid was meant to score goals. Now his confidence and gameplay is all (frank)ed up. I don't blame Eakins for everything but I think that one is squarely on him, trying to fit a round peg into a square hole.
- TheTaoOfSemenko

This!

The season is toast- Hall got all the luxuries when he started on this team of prime players and prime minutes for more than a period... May as well try to prevent a daigle and try to get Yak going so we could at least get something via trade deadline or trade at the draft table... its not like we are pushing for the playoffs
- saskoil21

I wouldn't sell Yakupov off yet.

They tried to make Yak something he simply is not. Teach him defensive basics but don't try to make him into some two-way god. The kid was meant to score goals. Now his confidence and gameplay is all (frank)ed up. I don't blame Eakins for everything but I think that one is squarely on him, trying to fit a round peg into a square hole.
- TheTaoOfSemenko

This 100%. Time to take of the chains and let yaks get some top minutes and see what he can do. Our season is over so it won't cost us anything. If he blows it oh well. But having him get good ice time will increase trade value too.

Horcoff was clearly a bigger part of this team than most(including myself) gave him credit for.
- Dangles13

He took alot of pressure off of the young guys. Now they feel it and they cant deal with it.

I would rather try one of the big boys on the PP instead of Yakupov honestly. Fraser would be a nice guy to have in front of the net for screens.
- Dangles13

If we arent going to try and find Yakupov's strengths again we may as well call it a day and let him be labelled a bust... He clearly was not developed properly here and got 'Oilered' u draft players for what they are... the Oilers look like the fools here

Honest answer: I was avoiding doing real work
- Matt_Henderson

hahaha! I totally get that sentiment.

So much so, that I found myself reading about Edomonton Oiler player grades in the first place.

If we arent going to try and find Yakupov's strengths again we may as well call it a day and let him be labelled a bust... He clearly was not developed properly here and got 'Oilered' u draft players for what they are... the Oilers look like the fools here
- saskoil21

This! Idk why people are so against giving yaks a chance to succeed. It will literally not hurt this team at all to give him a chance.

hahaha! I totally get that sentiment.

So much so, that I found myself reading about Edomonton Oiler player grades in the first place.
- Aetherial

Hey so honest question, not trying to troll. What is going on in leaf land right now?

hahaha! I totally get that sentiment.

So much so, that I found myself reading about Edomonton Oiler player grades in the first place.
- Aetherial

Hey so honest question, not trying to troll. What is going on in leaf land right now?
- Oilfan19

this, i would like to know because all I've heard is about Kessel blowing up about something...

great goaltending

Matt Henderson: Edmonton Oiler Mid-Season Grades
- Matt_Henderson

Marks for Nuge, Petry, and Eberle are a bit high. Your Petry explanation is way off IMO. He's good but not above average. He can't hit the net with his bloody shot and makes many gafs. I'd say B-. Klef should be higher. Playing tons of tough minutes as a rookie and rarely makes mistakes. His shut down ability and skating look awesome. He has the best poke check of all our d and recovers when he does (frank) up. He's been at least B.

Marks for Nuge, Petry, and Eberle are a bit high. Your Petry explanation is way off IMO. He's good but not above average. He can't hit the net with his bloody shot and makes many gafs. I'd say B-. Klef should be higher. Playing tons of tough minutes as a rookie and rarely makes mistakes. His shut down ability and skating look awesome. He has the best poke check of all our d and recovers when he does (frank) up. He's been at least B.
- Iggysbff

Why is it that none of these players can hit the (frank)ing net? Blows my mind how many times we miss the net.

Ok, i'm glad to hear this. you guys both have different views and both have solid points. Not everyone can agree on everything, all of the time.

except we can all agree about JB....
- ChetManly