Is Klefbom still a viable prospect? Nurse looked good at the WJC so I'll give him a nod, but it seems like Klefbom needs to start making a claim. I know he played 60 games last year, but I just get the feeling that his ship has sailed.
- jmatchett383

Washed up at 21?

He's tailor made for the Oilers. A former #1 overall draft pick, and now a ruined player. Your front office wouldn't even have to do the ruining themselves, that's called efficiency.
- jmatchett383

Well played, your royal gourdship!

Yes.. That happened in 2015. The events I posted have all been 2014 and prior. I don't care about their future outlook, their recent past is enough to make me sick, especially how the slugged out another #1 pick this draft.
- WarriorHockey21

The thing is, while you can make fun of the past, they have good, competent guys in place now, who have all those talented kids and know how to build a winning team. They have the pieces to go trade for a legit number one defenseman and the cash to sign a good goalie.

Washed up at 21?
- Jsaquella

Not so much washed up, as defensemen take longer to develop. But when he was drafted (2010/2011?) he had tons of hype, and that hype seems to have subsided quite a bit. I remember Cloutier used to talk about him in the same light as a guy like Shea Weber (listing him as the key piece to "help" Nashville by trading for Weber) and the fanbase wasn't too far behind him at the time. It seems like he's slowly but steadily slipped down their depth chart.

The thing is, while you can make fun of the past, they have good, competent guys in place now, who have all those talented kids and know how to build a winning team. They have the pieces to go trade for a legit number one defenseman and the cash to sign a good goalie.
- Jsaquella

Yup, all kidding aside, I think Edmonton, if they can convince players to stay and free agents to sign there, could be a powerhouse in a few years.

Not so much washed up, as defensemen take longer to develop. But when he was drafted (2010/2011?) he had tons of hype, and that hype seems to have subsided quite a bit. I remember Cloutier used to talk about him in the same light as a guy like Shea Weber (listing him as the key piece to "help" Nashville by trading for Weber) and the fanbase wasn't too far behind him at the time. It seems like he's slowly but steadily slipped down their depth chart.
- jmatchett383

Cloutier is/was an idiot who overhyped every Oilers prospect. He thought Lander was going to be Jagr for Christ's sake.

Klefbom is still a good prospect, probably similar to some of the Flyers prospects.

The thing is, while you can make fun of the past, they have good, competent guys in place now, who have all those talented kids and know how to build a winning team. They have the pieces to go trade for a legit number one defenseman and the cash to sign a good goalie.
- Jsaquella

Which good goalie? They (former management) just traded one away. Who's a UFA they can sign this offseason? A Miller/Bryz type?

Yup, all kidding aside, I think Edmonton, if they can convince players to stay and free agents to sign there, could be a powerhouse in a few years.
- BiggE

That's going to be the key, getting guys to want to go there

The quote button doesn't seem to be working. So I will ask of Mr Potato, what do you think Hextall should have done this season that he didn't do? What moves were available to him that he did not take advantage of?

And do you dismiss the fact he was able to stockpile 7 draft picks in the first 91 spots in a pretty deep draft? Including an extra 1st, getting back in to the 2nd round, getting 2 extra 3rd round picks, and an extra 4th.

Not to mention the picks for next season. All while getting needed cap space.

Which good goalie? They (former management) just traded one away. Who's a UFA they can sign this offseason? A Miller/Bryz type?
- jmatchett383

They have enough assets to trade for one as well. Dubnyk was worth a 3rd rounder. So was Mason.

They have enough assets to trade for one as well. Dubnyk was worth a 3rd rounder. So was Mason.
- Jsaquella

They could trade for one, but I'd assume the #1 priority would be using their assets to shore up the defense. I only asked because you said they had the $$ to sign one.

They could trade for one, but I'd assume the #1 priority would be using their assets to shore up the defense. I only asked because you said they had the $$ to sign one.
- jmatchett383

They have the cap room to sign one. I'm just saying that I'd have a lot of faith in Chiarelli and Nicholson to fix the issues.

They have the cap room to sign one. I'm just saying that I'd have a lot of faith in Chiarelli and Nicholson to fix the issues.
- Jsaquella

Agreed. If I was an Edmonton fan, I'd be on cloud 9 right now. They have Connor McDavid on the way and actual adults running the hockey operation for the first time in years.

Oh goodie, the site is broken again.

Agreed. If I was an Edmonton fan, I'd be on cloud 9 right now. They have Connor McDavid on the way and actual adults running the hockey operation for the first time in years.
- BiggE

Yup.

Oh goodie, the site is broken again.
- jmatchett383

Apparently Ek forgot to feed the Hamsters again and the wheel won't turn itself.

Oilers fan talking poop. Get the (frank) out of here friend.

Hell, I'll will drive him to Edmonton myself and pick the tab for food and drinks on the way too!!
- BiggE

wear warm clothes

You've had the #1 pick enough the past few years, combined with other picks... you had your "chance" and haven't improved barely at all. I mean, let's go back here and look at all of their 1st rounders since 2007..

2007 Gagner
2007 Plante
2007 Nash
2008 Eberle
2009 Svensson
2010 Hall
2011 RNH
2011 Klefbom
2012 Yakupov
2013 Nurse
2014 Draisaitl

So you're saying Edmonton has no management issue here? All of those picks were either bad, or they turned out to be players stuck in the black hole of Edmonton, wasting away. By now, Edmonton should be able to have an entire playoff team drafted... But hey.. maybe a few more token 1st rounders will turn things around for them...

I feel bad for McDavid.. kid deserves better...
- WarriorHockey21

I'm not sure if you're aware of this...but just about every team gets 1 first round pick if they haven't frittered it away for some aging veteran.we don't have more than anyone else except what we had sent to us from The Ryan Smyth and Dutin Penner trades, so 2 late 1st round picks ).

not all of those picks were bad (Plante was very bad, and Nash was traded for a 2nd rounder that turned into Martin Marincin. Gagner was a decent enough, undersized 2nd line Center that became redundant as more talented undersized players came along. Magnus PaajarvinSvennson was a bust for us and a bust for St.Louis, Hall and Eberle are both doing fine, and Nuge is starting to look like the 2 way scoring center we hoped he would be. Yak's been an enigma for sure, Klefbom is looking like he's gonna be an anchor on our top pair for years after his Rookie season, and Nurse and LD are both in JR.

At the end of the day, your expecting 7 players between the ages of 19 and 24 to be the core group on a contender? Jesus Christ that's laughable.

The problem in Edmonton isn't these still developing players, it's the players around them. We need veterans, especially on the back end, and a goalie.

Hopefully the new management can find a fair trade or a good pick up in free agency.


So what is the Flyers expo use for being mediocre and what is that lazy Hextall doing about it?

Oilers fan talking poop. Get the (frank) out of here friend.
- specter02147

most likely frustrated Flyer fan

Washed up at 21?
- Jsaquella

That's the new NHL

Not so much washed up, as defensemen take longer to develop. But when he was drafted (2010/2011?) he had tons of hype, and that hype seems to have subsided quite a bit. I remember Cloutier used to talk about him in the same light as a guy like Shea Weber (listing him as the key piece to "help" Nashville by trading for Weber) and the fanbase wasn't too far behind him at the time. It seems like he's slowly but steadily slipped down their depth chart.
- jmatchett383

Slowly slipping down our depth chart? Oh my good, you clearly have zero clue about the Oilers. Klefbom was a stud this year, even paired with Justin Schultz. He was injured after his draft year and didn't play, then spent 2 seasons in the AHL, as he should have, started the year down there as well before being called up and finished the year as outer best defenseman.

I know that doesn't say much but he looks pretty (frank)ing good, and he doesn't have a Weber or Suter to shield him.

Washed up

An outstanding blog on the phantoms and we're discussing the poopty oilers?

Nice work Bill. I expect hextall to remain patient with the kids. I would suspect morin and ghost are slated for near full years in the AHL. Who would be the best forward prospect to play for the team next year? They are still going to be hurting bad for scoring I'd imagine

Agreed. If I was an Edmonton fan, I'd be on cloud 9 right now. They have Connor McDavid on the way and actual adults running the hockey operation for the first time in years.
- BiggE

It takes a premium generational talent for anybody to want to go to Siberia

The quote button doesn't seem to be working. So I will ask of Mr Potato, what do you think Hextall should have done this season that he didn't do? What moves were available to him that he did not take advantage of?

And do you dismiss the fact he was able to stockpile 7 draft picks in the first 91 spots in a pretty deep draft? Including an extra 1st, getting back in to the 2nd round, getting 2 extra 3rd round picks, and an extra 4th.

Not to mention the picks for next season. All while getting needed cap space.
- MBFlyerfan

I am completely happy with what Hexy has done this far. And I expect possibly more draft picks to be picked up moving another player or two. The only move I wish Hexy made, and I understand maybe we couldn't have afforded it, was to sign Brian Boyle. Think we could have used his size and physical presence. Plus he's good on the Pk.