It takes a premium generational talent for anybody to want to go to Siberia
- Just5

Well, at least you get to pet the polar bears.

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.
- arichardson22

Didn't have the cap room to sign Boyle. Hexy has done a fine job so far. The only move you can really argue was the Hartnell deal and even that may look good in 3 or 4 years.

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

To be honest I'm just busting balls....and only enough the Flyers needs and Oilers needs are similar....Defence!!!
That's why we would make terrible trade partners. I like the forward group you have for the most part, not as skilled over all but bigger and meaner and not as defensively retarded as some of our guys, but it's the back end that needs work.

And nobody, I mean nobody, is trading young top pair D men away to help either of us.

It's funny, the trades you guys made are similar to what Mac T did, and the needs remain the same. Hopefully Chiarelli can pull off a good deal or sign whomever is worth signing. I Have to admit I'm scared he'll pull another Seguin type blunder.

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
- Jeropotato

No, I don't have a clue about the Oilers because, aside from the Flyers, I don't enjoy watching poopty hockey teams. I'm just going on reports I'd read prior to this season that implied that his stock had dropped a bit.

Also, I was not the one who used the term "washed up."

It takes a premium generational talent for anybody to want to go to Siberia
- Just5

This has been true since 1979, bubba, 100%.

Didn't have the cap room to sign Boyle. Hexy has done a fine job so far. The only move you can really argue was the Hartnell deal and even that may look good in 3 or 4 years.
- BiggE

Of course this deal looks terrible looking at the points produced this year, but man this deal will be great when Columbus is trying to trade Hartsy at 35 and stuck with that contract

Didn't have the cap room to sign Boyle. Hexy has done a fine job so far. The only move you can really argue was the Hartnell deal and even that may look good in 3 or 4 years.
- BiggE

I hate Brian Boyle. I wish he'd get Matt Carkner'd every game.

No, I don't have a clue about the Oilers because, aside from the Flyers, I don't enjoy watching poopty hockey teams. I'm just going on reports I'd read prior to this season that implied that his stock had dropped a bit.

Also, I was not the one who used the term "washed up."
- jmatchett383

Agreed.mwhy in the world would anyone who isn't a fan watch the Oilers, Yotes,Leafs, Sabres or Hurricanes ? Unless you like to see a good poop kicking once in a while, anyway.
Being an Oilers fan is like watching the Ultimte Warrior squash Barry Horowitz in under 2 minutes......and being a die hard Barry Horowitz fan.

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?


- Jeropotato

You're right dude.... everyone does get first round picks.... but not every team is so privileged to get #1's every other (frank)ing year. The oilers are a joke dude, time for you to figure it out brother.

To be honest I'm just busting balls....and only enough the Flyers needs and Oilers needs are similar....Defence!!!
That's why we would make terrible trade partners. I like the forward group you have for the most part, not as skilled over all but bigger and meaner and not as defensively retarded as some of our guys, but it's the back end that needs work.

And nobody, I mean nobody, is trading young top pair D men away to help either of us.

It's funny, the trades you guys made are similar to what Mac T did, and the needs remain the same. Hopefully Chiarelli can pull off a good deal or sign whomever is worth signing. I Have to admit I'm scared he'll pull another Seguin type blunder.
- Jeropotato

To be honest I'm just busting balls....and only enough the Flyers needs and Oilers needs are similar....Defence!!!
That's why we would make terrible trade partners. I like the forward group you have for the most part, not as skilled over all but bigger and meaner and not as defensively retarded as some of our guys, but it's the back end that needs work.

And nobody, I mean nobody, is trading young top pair D men away to help either of us.

It's funny, the trades you guys made are similar to what Mac T did, and the needs remain the same. Hopefully Chiarelli can pull off a good deal or sign whomever is worth signing. I Have to admit I'm scared he'll pull another Seguin type blunder.
- Jeropotato

the kleffer played very well for the oilers. he is fine and def a big part of their future I would think.

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

Problem is very few players want to live there, especially those with families. Having Connor McDavid isn't going to change what it's like to live in Edmonton. Only players from around there will willingly sign or wave their no traded clause.

Problem is very few players want to live there, especially those with families. Having Connor McDavid isn't going to change what it's like to live in Edmonton. Only players from around there will willingly sign or wave their no traded clause.
- psuhockey

Didn't you hear? They're getting a downtown.

You're right dude.... everyone does get first round picks.... but not every team is so privileged to get #1's every other (frank)ing year. The oilers are a joke dude, time for you to figure it out brother.
- benjichronic

What a clever and well thought out post....I'm glad you took the time to grace me with your thoughts. I'm a changed man.

Didn't you hear? They're getting a downtown.
- BulliesPhan87

It's right next to the refinery district. You know, the part of the city known as "Edmonton."

What a clever and well thought out post....I'm glad you took the time to grace me with your thoughts. I'm a changed man.
- Jeropotato

The thing is that Pittsburgh took 4 top-5 picks and turned them into the backbone of a contender in a few years. Edmonton took a ton of top-5 picks and remained a cellar dweller. He does have a point. Like we've said the former management group has horribly stunted the team's ability to grow. By now, they should at least be a fringe team with all of the top-end picks they've had.

The thing is that Pittsburgh took 4 top-5 picks and turned them into the backbone of a contender in a few years. Edmonton took a ton of top-5 picks and remained a cellar dweller. He does have a point. Like we've said the former management group has horribly stunted the team's ability to grow. By now, they should at least be a fringe team with all of the top-end picks they've had.
- jmatchett383

Of course he has a point.

But look at Pittsburgh. How many years after drafting MA Fleurey 1st overall did it take them to make the playoffs?
How many years after drafting Taylor Hall are we at?
Where in the last 5 drafts have the Oilers had a chance to draft a talent the likes of Sid or Malkin?

Pittsburgh made the playoffs and won a championship because Shero surrounded those players with quality veterans like Roberts, Geurin, Plafy, Satan, Recchi, ect....something the Oilers have never managed to do , either because bad management or because "Siberia" or both.

It sucks, big time, and it is a joke. Hopefully PC can both add some veteran free agents due to the McDavid appeal , trade some of our talented yet softish players for defence and goaltending and hire the right coach to pat them on the ass and light a fire under them as well.

It was harsh... my apologies... lol I do still think it's crazy that Edmonton has somehow drafted soooo many (frank)ing players with #1's and first round picks, and they're still where they are.
- benjichronic

It's all good, I'm used to it. I know the realities of EDmonton and love it all the same, and I will never switch teams just because mine has sucked for a decade or 3.

Jeropotato has everyone here completely rattled

Of course he has a point.

But look at Pittsburgh. How many years after drafting MA Fleurey 1st overall did it take them to make the playoffs?
How many years after drafting Taylor Hall are we at?
Where in the last 5 drafts have the Oilers had a chance to draft a talent the likes of Sid or Malkin?

Pittsburgh made the playoffs and won a championship because Shero surrounded those players with quality veterans like Roberts, Geurin, Plafy, Satan, Recchi, ect....something the Oilers have never managed to do , either because bad management or because "Siberia" or both.

It sucks, big time, and it is a joke. Hopefully PC can both add some veteran free agents due to the McDavid appeal , trade some of our talented yet softish players for defence and goaltending and hire the right coach to pat them on the ass and light a fire under them as well.
- Jeropotato

It took Pittsburgh 5 seasons (and some luck in winning the Crosby lottery) to win a Cup, but only 3 to be a playoff contender.

Look, like I said, I understand that Oilers management has not done an adequate job of surrounding the young players sufficiently. However, by the same token, the Oilers' theory of "draft the best offensive player possible with the #1 pick" does not appeal to me. I know Oilers fans like him, but I'm not a big fan of RNH. I don't know why, I'm just not. And they should have passed on Yakupov or at least traded that #1 pick for help at positions of need, as he isn't/wasn't really needed.

No, the girl with the earrings/neck/Blackhawks shirt.
- jmatchett383

ahhhh yes the mega dumby whore. Of course. I'm actually going out with her and my gf tonight... someone wanna take my spot???

Of course he has a point.

But look at Pittsburgh. How many years after drafting MA Fleurey 1st overall did it take them to make the playoffs?
How many years after drafting Taylor Hall are we at?
Where in the last 5 drafts have the Oilers had a chance to draft a talent the likes of Sid or Malkin?

Pittsburgh made the playoffs and won a championship because Shero surrounded those players with quality veterans like Roberts, Geurin, Plafy, Satan, Recchi, ect....something the Oilers have never managed to do , either because bad management or because "Siberia" or both.

It sucks, big time, and it is a joke. Hopefully PC can both add some veteran free agents due to the McDavid appeal , trade some of our talented yet softish players for defence and goaltending and hire the right coach to pat them on the ass and light a fire under them as well.
- Jeropotato

I think just shaking up management will make Edmonton less of a no go for free agents. We'll see, though.



The McDavid thing helps too, o'course.

It took Pittsburgh 5 seasons (and some luck in winning the Crosby lottery) to win a Cup, but only 3 to be a playoff contender.

Look, like I said, I understand that Oilers management has not done an adequate job of surrounding the young players sufficiently. However, by the same token, the Oilers' theory of "draft the best offensive player possible with the #1 pick" does not appeal to me. I know Oilers fans like him, but I'm not a big fan of RNH. I don't know why, I'm just not. And they should have passed on Yakupov or at least traded that #1 pick for help at positions of need, as he isn't/wasn't really needed.
- jmatchett383

That isn't true. It took 3 years with Crosby. You don't count the Fleury, Whitney or Malkin drafts as rebuilding years?

You gotta let these guys develope.so far only Hall has had sufficient time to become an elite player, and he finished last year in the top 10 in scoring.

RNH is gonna be very good...and we needed a Center, but don't expect too much from him. If he ends up as good as Hank Sedin I'll be thrilled ( and offensively he's actually more productive at this stage of his career)..I won't argue the Yak point because we already had Eberle and Gagne and this isn't the Lord of the Rings, and Steve Tambellininis/was an idiot. Mind you, had we drafted Murray we would still be a few years away from benefitting from that pick.

Thanks Bill. If Murray was to be an assistant, where would he fit in with the coaching staff?
I would like to see Straka make strides in his defensive part of the game. He looked good when he was called up, and I would choose him over Akeson.
I think that Jones needs another look. He would be a good 4th line guy, but I know that VL is probably slated for the position..lol. Jones can play wing or center which is a nice change from all the centers that only want to or are able to play wing.
I would also consider bringing up Zepp to replace Razor. Zepp seems to be more mobile, and would be a money saving alternative.
Finally, Martel sounds interesting. Is he the next Danny B?
Ain't no cure for the summer time blues.