I don't think anyone wants that Clarkson contract. That thing is beyond brutal.
- SpoiledByOil

Yup

"Mightier than thou bullsh!t", eh? Is that what being right is called these days?

So the fact that Eakins scratched a visibly struggling Yakupov early in his first season as coach made it clear he was doing everything wrong and would continue to do wrong throughout his whole tenure when it's clearly evident that he did everything to put him in a position to succeed after the midway point last season? He got the same minutes, same easy opposition, and same access to the best possible linemates (aside from breaking up the only thing that seemed to function on his team) as Nelson is giving him now.

On the note of "everyone but Hall regressed", Eberle actually surpassed his pace from the shortened season, Hall pretty much maintained his, and Nuge stepped up (albeit from his own sophomore slump).

Schultz suffered slump in his 2nd season, as did Yakupov, and Gagner came back down to Earth (as everyone and their mother's knew he would).

I'm not here suggesting Eakins was a good or even mediocre coach for this team cause he was awful. What I'm telling you that not only is it wrong to say that he was the indefinitely wrong choice based solely off how he treated one sophomore for the first 5-10 game of his tenure, it's asinine. It's cool that you were "right", but it doesn't make the way you came to that "right" answer any less wrong.
- MaximumBone

The fact that he played him less than 5 minutes opening night, had him benched in the first week and healthy scrathced in the first 2 weeks, then demoted to 3rd and 4th lines playing his off wing within the first 2 weeks is painfully (frank)ing obvious that he was being handled and treated horribly.

I've been saying it since day one and everyone called me a moron, now it turns out i was right and i'm still a moron for being right?

(frank) me there are some scholars on HB.

if you can't see how bad he was handled 2 weeks into Eakins tenure then there's really no point in even discussing hockey with you.

edit: and his poor handling continued on throughout Eakins Tenure. He was bounced around the lineup so much it was ridiculous.

and no one else was benched or scratched or demoted for their poopty play. The way he handled him was a joke, and it was painfully obvious since day 1

Is there no ability to shed money in other positions? What's does edm's FA list look like for 15-16? Does that clear any cap space?

I think JVR is a solid player. 6'-3" 211lb LW who had a 30-31-61 point season last year. This year he's got 44 points in 58 games. On the leafs!

You may not like the trade suggestion but you can't dislike JVR. Quality player.
- bloatedmosquito

Unless your idea of shedding money involves trading a key piece for what would have to be FAR less than market value, then no. We can't get rid of Gordon, Fayne, or Pouliot as the depth they add to the roster is invaluable and we'd simply and up needing to replace them. Ference would be an option if not for his NMC and the team's crippling deficiency on D.

Apart from them, Nikitin will likely be bought out and they could explore trading Purcell, but that's simply freeing up cap space to make the moves they actually need to make in order to take a (frank)ing step in this league.

What I'm worried about isn't the now, though. That deal handcuffs them with Clarkson's contract as well as making their LW cost around 15 mill per season for 4+ years. Good luck signing anyone of note with constraints like that and a bunch of new contracts that would be coming up by then (Klefbom, Nurse, Draisaitl, goalie, etc).

- batjester

Whats wrong Bruce? ??

Arguably goalie as well.
- HAs_Revenge

OTT: Yakupov, Scrivens
EDM: Cowen, Anderson, 2015 2nd rounder

__________________________________

so no upgrade on D or G
- oilerfan94

That's a good point. If you are going to trade Yaks then do it for what you need most.

OTT: Yakupov, Scrivens
EDM: Ceci, Anderson, 2015 2nd rounder

__________________________________
- Erik6Karlsson5

[quote=ChetManly]
Much better....

And why is Edmonton taking on Clarkson?
- ChetManly

I was thinking that JVR is a known commodity and Yak still is a question mark right now. I'm a big Yak fan but generally in these trade situations the known commodity has a bit more value.

But you guys need d-men and not another skilled forward. But JVR's size and skill would be nice in your top 6.

I was thinking that JVR is a known commodity and Yak still is a question mark right now. I'm a big Yak fan but generally in these trade situations the known commodity has a bit more value.

But you guys need d-men and not another skilled forward. But JVR's size and skill would be nice in your top 6.
- bloatedmosquito

If i was going to target a player with a bad contract coming back it would be for Martin Jones and Richards.

Yup
- bloatedmosquito

my first thought: oh, no one wants the Clarkson contract? oh, thats too bad, tell us more.

If i was going to target a player with a bad contract coming back it would be for Martin Jones and Richards.
- SpoiledByOil

That's a better return than two LW's.

That's a better return than two LW's.
- ChetManly

Yea, I'm ok with Hall and Pouliot as our LW's going forward.

Unless your idea of shedding money involves trading a key piece for what would have to be FAR less than market value, then no. We can't get rid of Gordon, Fayne, or Pouliot as the depth they add to the roster is invaluable and we'd simply and up needing to replace them. Ference would be an option if not for his NMC and the team's crippling deficiency on D.

Apart from them, Nikitin will likely be bought out and they could explore trading Purcell, but that's simply freeing up cap space to make the moves they actually need to make in order to take a (frank)ing step in this league.

What I'm worried about isn't the now, though. That deal handcuffs them with Clarkson's contract as well as making their LW cost around 15 mill per season for 4+ years. Good luck signing anyone of note with constraints like that and a bunch of new contracts that would be coming up by then (Klefbom, Nurse, Draisaitl, goalie, etc).
- MaximumBone

Good explanation. No to clarkson and JVR.

my first thought: oh, no one wants the Clarkson contract? oh, thats too bad, tell us more.


- ChetManly

The fact that he played him less than 5 minutes opening night, had him benched in the first week and healthy scrathced in the first 2 weeks, then demoted to 3rd and 4th lines playing his off wing within the first 2 weeks is painfully (frank)ing obvious that he was being handled and treated horribly.

I've been saying it since day one and everyone called me a moron, now it turns out i was right and i'm still a moron for being right?

(frank) me there are some scholars on HB.

if you can't see how bad he was handled 2 weeks into Eakins tenure then there's really no point in even discussing hockey with you.

edit: and his poor handling continued on throughout Eakins Tenure. He was bounced around the lineup so much it was ridiculous.

and no one else was benched or scratched or demoted for their poopty play. The way he handled him was a joke, and it was painfully obvious since day 1
- SpoiledByOil

You're an angry fella aren't you?

Good explanation. No to clarkson and JVR.
- bloatedmosquito

fkn MBone, that ginger's a genius.

You're an angry fella aren't you?
- bloatedmosquito

Do you live in Vancouver?

Unless your idea of shedding money involves trading a key piece for what would have to be FAR less than market value, then no. We can't get rid of Gordon, Fayne, or Pouliot as the depth they add to the roster is invaluable and we'd simply and up needing to replace them. Ference would be an option if not for his NMC and the team's crippling deficiency on D.

Apart from them, Nikitin will likely be bought out and they could explore trading Purcell, but that's simply freeing up cap space to make the moves they actually need to make in order to take a (frank)ing step in this league.

What I'm worried about isn't the now, though. That deal handcuffs them with Clarkson's contract as well as making their LW cost around 15 mill per season for 4+ years. Good luck signing anyone of note with constraints like that and a bunch of new contracts that would be coming up by then (Klefbom, Nurse, Draisaitl, goalie, etc).
- MaximumBone

And healthy scratching a young player to give him a break to calm down and see the game from a different view is absolutely fine. But when he comes back you slot him back into his scoring position and continue to put him in a position to succeed. He wasn't healthy scratched as a learning experience like Calgary did with Gudreau, he was scratched as punishment then banished to the 3rd and 4th lines playing his off wing.

The way Calgary treated Gudreau when he struggled early was good coaching.

The way Edmonton treated Yakupov when he struggled early was a (frank)ing joke.

Cooooongrats

Hey man, you're free to have your opinion and it's cool that you were right, but it doesn't change the fact that you placed indefinite and unwavering judgement on a guy after a whole two weeks on the job (although it was more likely after opening night) and- regardless of how right you were- then decide to use that fact as some sort of validation to lord over someone is hilariously and inherently wrong.

And look at that! You're right about another thing: there really ARE some scholars on this site! Here's your (frank)ing award so you don't bring it up in two years time:


- MaximumBone

Cooooongrats

Hey man, you're free to have your opinion and it's cool that you were right, but it doesn't change the fact that you placed indefinite and unwavering judgement on a guy after a whole two weeks on the job (although it was more likely after opening night) and- regardless of how right you were- then decide to use that fact as some sort of validation to lord over someone is hilariously and inherently wrong.

And look at that! You're right about another thing: there really ARE some scholars on this site! Here's your (frank)ing award so you don't bring it up in two years time:


- MaximumBone

actually i deleted it because i read it, and it was the same old tired bullpoop that comes from someone who knows nothing about the game and developing players. You're arguments are garbage and hold no water

You're an angry fella aren't you?
- bloatedmosquito

Not generally, actually. I just happened to hit him in the wrong way and insulted him- which, in hindsight, is something I should've avoided as it never leads to a healthy debate.

Unfortunately, my tired self isn't inclined to give too many (frank)s about others.

- ChetManly

Interesting that Yak stuck with Roy with top line opportunity... Makes u wonder if there is friction between the kids... Gonna be an interesting finish esp if Yak finishes with 15+ goals considering where he was in the first 35 games...
- saskoil21

No friction. It's lack of chemistry and he knows it.

That's what guys like Brownlee, Spector, etc like to forget when they write about him being a bust