your blogs make me laugh... first it was Yandle is a top 5 Dman in the league(clearly he isnt) now its OEL deserves the Norris, should we award the Coyotes the stanley cup as well since they clearly have the best team that cant win games??

it doesnt matter what you have on your team, it matters how much you make those around you better. OEL is a star, he is not yet a super-star.
- richardson30

Cant do that, no one will show up for the parade

I think OEL is closer to being the best overall defenseman in the league than the best offensive defenseman in the league.
- rangerdanger94

Let's see what he can do on a team that has expectations and pressure ....he has had a pretty slack gig as an nhler so far ...I'll be more impressed when he is putting up big numbers or shutting down star players when every game actually matters

Let's see what he can do on a team that has expectations and pressure ....he has had a pretty slack gig as an nhler so far ...I'll be more impressed when he is putting up big numbers or shutting down star players when every game actually matters
- Redmile247

Yea I agree. The idea that a player putting up good numbers on a bad team will automatically put up better numbers when surrounded by better talent on a better team is false. Because on a better team, they might not have the same freedom to activate offensively or play as many minutes due to depth, etc.

Oilers will never trade him to coyotes, but I think OEL will have a raise in points with mcdavid on the team
- Redmile247

I'm happy with Eichel.

Yea I agree. The idea that a player putting up good numbers on a bad team will automatically put up better numbers when surrounded by better talent on a better team is false. Because on a better team, they might not have the same freedom to activate offensively or play as many minutes due to depth, etc.
- rangerdanger94

You see examples of D men on bottom teams who can put up decent numbers all the time ...yet when they join a contender they have a dip in numbers ...not sayin he wouldn't put up massive points with better talent ...just that playing when it matters compared to when it does not changes everything

OEL is a Karlsson light.

As long as Karlsson puts up more points than him, plays more mins than him, and has a bigger + than him, OEL will never win it.

If he wants to be considered for the Norris based on his offense, then he has to be better than the best offensive Dman in the league.

I'm happy with Eichel.
- LamontSanford

Considering the odds of the Sabres winning an NHL game this year are higher than them winning the lotto ...you should start buying the Eichel Sabres jersey

OEL may be top Ten.


But he is no Byfuglien, that's for sure.

your blogs make me laugh... first it was Yandle is a top 5 Dman in the league(clearly he isnt) now its OEL deserves the Norris, should we award the Coyotes the stanley cup as well since they clearly have the best team that cant win games??

it doesnt matter what you have on your team, it matters how much you make those around you better. OEL is a star, he is not yet a super-star.
- richardson30

My argument was that statistically Yandle was a top five dman for the past five years. Thats true.

If you dont think OEL is a superstar, you've never seen him play.

Yea I agree. The idea that a player putting up good numbers on a bad team will automatically put up better numbers when surrounded by better talent on a better team is false. Because on a better team, they might not have the same freedom to activate offensively or play as many minutes due to depth, etc.
- rangerdanger94

You don't think that on stl or ana that oel would still play 25 mins per night against the top players? Only difference is he wouldn't be the only player other teams key on.

Also, he plays for dave Tippett, they aren't exactly freewheelin out there.

OEL is a Karlsson light.

As long as Karlsson puts up more points than him, plays more mins than him, and has a bigger + than him, OEL will never win it.

If he wants to be considered for the Norris based on his offense, then he has to be better than the best offensive Dman in the league.
- Charliebox

The difference is that if OEL never scored, he'd still be one og the best.

OEL may be top Ten.


But he is no Byfuglien, that's for sure.
- Byfuglien Ate Me

I agree, the odds of OEL earning a manslaughter charge during a game are way lower than Buffs.

OEL will get there one day for sure, but not this year
- SRam19

When he gets traded for Taylor Hall?

Well no one expects the process to be fair, legitimate and just.
- James_Tanner

Nope otherwise Yak and Nuge would've won the calder

Yandle > OEL
- rangerdanger94

You wish

OEL and Noah Hannifin will be a sick pairing.
- LamontSanford

Toobad they're getting McDavid

Umm Erik Karlsson played with Phillips, Cowen, Borowekei for 3/4 of the season.

MARK BOROWEKEI

OEL is for sure a top 10 D in the league but IMO he's not in the discussion of winnng ahead of guys like

Karlsson
Subban
Josi
Weber
Gio

Just because he as 23G doesn't make him an automatic nominee.

How is OEL worthy of the Norris this year?

-His team isn't going to make the playoffs (and no Norris winner has ever missed the playoffs the year they won, as it should be).
-He isn't all that high in Point totals
-He's not a leader (or near a leader) in any statistical category apart from goals
-His best comparables have been better than him both offensively AND defensively

He's an underrated D, I grant you that. But when you can apply the same argument on behalf of guys like Trevor Daley and Justin Faulk, you have a problem.

Dude, a minus 19 is a real hard sell for best overall defenseman. They just couldn't do it. At least be at zero, that's my take. Yes, you could argue that's his team more than him, but it still looks bad. In terms of 'offensive' defensemen he's right there with Karlsson, IMO.

When he gets traded for Taylor Hall?
- Iloveeveryone

I like it. You got big dreams kid

How is OEL worthy of the Norris this year?

-His team isn't going to make the playoffs (and no Norris winner has ever missed the playoffs the year they won, as it should be).
-He isn't all that high in Point totals
-He's not a leader (or near a leader) in any statistical category apart from goals
-His best comparables have been better than him both offensively AND defensively

He's an underrated D, I grant you that. But when you can apply the same argument on behalf of guys like Trevor Daley and Justin Faulk, you have a problem.
- BleedingHabs

Have you ever seen a hockey game? Trevor Daley and Justin Faulk aren't in the same ballpark as OEL

Gio>Yandle>OEL> Subban
- drexel

Aaron Rome> All

How is OEL worthy of the Norris this year?

-His team isn't going to make the playoffs (and no Norris winner has ever missed the playoffs the year they won, as it should be).
-He isn't all that high in Point totals
-He's not a leader (or near a leader) in any statistical category apart from goals
-His best comparables have been better than him both offensively AND defensively

He's an underrated D, I grant you that. But when you can apply the same argument on behalf of guys like Trevor Daley and Justin Faulk, you have a problem.
- BleedingHabs

OEL is considered a Top 2 Dman, honestly Faulk and Daley are in the category of top 4.

I like it. You got big dreams kid
- SRam19

Hoop dreams!!!

Aaron Rome> All
- pker2theend

but does he have sick corsi