[quote=Shameless]Darnell at O camp was unreal. He dominated, literally. He didn't give 2 sh@!s if you were in the same organization. The guy can be a legit #1 no question. He's elite in every facet except his shot from the point and that's easliy fixed. His battles with mcdavid were about the only comp for each other out therequote]
Couldn't agree more. I think he has the tools to be a top 10 dman in this league

Darnell at O camp was unreal. He dominated, literally. He didn't give 2 sh@!s if you were in the same organization. The guy can be a legit #1 no question. He's elite in every facet except his shot from the point and that's easliy fixed. His battles with mcdavid were about the only comp for each other out there.
- Shameless

Im so glad we didnt rush him into the line up so he had the time to develop and turn into what he is today

[quote=Shameless]Darnell at O camp was unreal. He dominated, literally. He didn't give 2 sh@!s if you were in the same organization. The guy can be a legit #1 no question. He's elite in every facet except his shot from the point and that's easliy fixed. His battles with mcdavid were about the only comp for each other out therequote]
Couldn't agree more. I think he has the tools to be a top 10 dman in this league
- OilerFan16

That is why we shouldn't take any chances with his development.
Send him to Bakersfield for the year and it will pay off, should never be impatient with young stud d men.

That is why we shouldn't take any chances with his development.
Send him to Bakersfield for the year and it will pay off, should never be impatient with young stud d men.
- Sirmerksalot

Him and Griff should go down for the year for that reason alone

That is why we shouldn't take any chances with his development.
Send him to Bakersfield for the year and it will pay off, should never be impatient with young stud d men.
- Sirmerksalot

He's going to make it tough. Sheltering him on the oilers might not be bad.

Him and Griff should go down for the year for that reason alone
- RatedR80

Plus, Cali for a year...

Him and Griff should go down for the year for that reason alone
- RatedR80

If they are ready to play and affect the team in a positive way we shouldn't hold them back either though, let Drai, Nurse, and Gryf all find their own level IMO. If they are ready to make the oilers better out of camp then don't hold them back. If there are still questions about their readiness after the pre season then accommodate them accordingly. Just my 2 cents

Him and Griff should go down for the year for that reason alone
- RatedR80

This

Plus, Cali for a year...
- lumlums

That probably doesnt hurt lol

If they are ready to play and affect the team in a positive way we shouldn't hold them back either though, let Drai, Nurse, and Gryf all find their own level IMO. If they are ready to make the oilers better out of camp then don't hold them back. If there are still questions about their readiness after the pre season then accommodate them accordingly. Just my 2 cents
- CrustyRooster

Yes IF they are ready to take the step then by all means lets do it I just dont want to see them rushed is all because its a very key part of our future

If Darnell is 100% ready to take top line minutes, then sure keep him up, but I think he will get even better with at least a half a season in the AHL as their number one. Same with drasaitl. The defense is strong enough as it is that we have the luxury to not rush him, and our center depth means drasaitl has a chance to refine how he plays without the pressure of having to produce, might even give them a chance to try him at wing. Unless those two have proven without a shadow of a doubt that they are ready, not just to make the team, but to fullfil the role that their potential has shown, I say to Bakersfield with them.

He's going to make it tough. Sheltering him on the oilers might not be bad.
- doon

It will be extremely tough, the kid has put 20 pounds on since the last camp. He is a beast, but needs to work on his shot and dominate the AHL first.

That probably doesnt hurt lol
- RatedR80

Not at all

It will be extremely tough, the kid has put 20 pounds on since the last camp. He is a beast, but needs to work on his shot and dominate the AHL first.
- Sirmerksalot

Im more excited about Nurse at this point then I am about Connor

Really excited for the oilers .. they are on their way.

Im more excited about Nurse at this point then I am about Connor
- RatedR80

Lol I'm not, but it sure is close
I would say how nurse turns out is more important to the franchise.
Future captain written all over him.

Really excited for the oilers .. they are on their way.
- Deadmau55

Hey, thanks man

Lol I'm not, but it sure is close
I would say how nurse turns out is more important to the franchise.
Future captain written all over him.
- Sirmerksalot

I get why people are excited about Connor (how can you not be) but at the end of a day he cant win us a cup alone...if you go back in history any "genertaional" talent didnt win a cup alone

Gretz had Mess and Kurri ect ect ect
Mario had Jagr and Francis ect ect ect
Crosby had Malkin and Kunitz ect ect

I guess thats why im more excited about the development of the rest of the team as opposed to just Connor coz that is what will win us a cup down the road

I get why people are excited about Connor (how can you not be) but at the end of a day he cant win us a cup alone...if you go back in history any "genertaional" talent didnt win a cup alone

Gretz had Mess and Kurri ect ect ect
Mario had Jagr and Francis ect ect ect
Crosby had Malkin and Kunitz ect ect

I guess thats why im more excited about the development of the rest of the team as opposed to just Connor coz that is what will win us a cup down the road
- RatedR80

100% agree. People like flash and dash as opposed to tough hard nosed defensive play, but lord knows we need more of that than the fancy stuff.

100% agree. People like flash and dash as opposed to tough hard nosed defensive play, but lord knows we need more of that than the fancy stuff.
- Sirmerksalot

Yup. You guys got a real legit shot at being the next dynasty and taking over the reigns from us in a couple years.

100% agree. People like flash and dash as opposed to tough hard nosed defensive play, but lord knows we need more of that than the fancy stuff.
- Sirmerksalot

Yeah we got like 6-7 forwards who can do flash or dash? Now we just need the meat and potatoes of this squad to develop

Come on October

Im so glad we didnt rush him into the line up so he had the time to develop and turn into what he is today
- RatedR80

Question is do they let him develop more? With Nikitin, Ference, Fayne and Sekeras all in as veterans with heafty contracts what do the Oilers do with guys like Nurse? Klefbom and Schultz are also great players. I could easily see Nurse and Schultz being a 1-2 tandem allowing for Klef and Reinhart to also play 20+ minutes a game. With prospect websites saying they are confident that Reinhart, Schultz and Nurse are all future top pairing guys at what point do they get played?

We could sit Nurse and Reinhart for another year despite them being ready but only Nikitin is gone next year. Oil need to find a way to get rid of their veterans. Ference should have been bought out. Nikitin I think can be traded but the Oil might have to hold some salary. Sekeras - Schultz, Reinhart/Nurse - Fayne and Klef - Reinhart/Nurse with Gryba as the 7th. I think Fayne will most likely find himself 7th by the end of the season. This group can eat up minutes and Gryba is a role player when you really need the net cleared for Talbot. A message sending guy with enough talent to not be a liability.

Sekeras is currently the only player we have that doesn't run the risk of being out played for a roster spot, despite the other 3's combined cap hit of 11.4 mil (17% of the Oilers space). That number jumps huge when Sekeras becomes obsolete as these 4 young guys will bump him to third string before that 6 year contract is even half over. Wow I am happy MacT is gone. He probably would have signed Grebeskev again.

100% agree. People like flash and dash as opposed to tough hard nosed defensive play, but lord knows we need more of that than the fancy stuff.
- Sirmerksalot

Flash and dash is a lot harder to come by and guys like RNH are seriously underrated in our defensive zone. So is Leon. His defensive zone starts were huge for Kelowna. We have "flash and dash" but we also have two way guys in that group. Also that "fancy stuff" is going to be scoring us goals. Something the Oilers can't have too much of. I think we have a good club up front. Only question is do you waste a guy like Leon playing third line when he is clearly going to be a top 2 caliber forward. I think transitioning him to wing would be an amazing finish to the top 6 but he is just way too good at the draw. Sucks when our biggest problem is fancy, flashy players with speed. I like the Oilers for a playoff push in two years. Not the cup but at least to the second round.

That is why we shouldn't take any chances with his development.
Send him to Bakersfield for the year and it will pay off, should never be impatient with young stud d men.
- Sirmerksalot

I do agree but when a mans ready he's ready. Look at doughty. Just saying from what I saw him good at camp, last years camp and the strides he made all season in the O and A. Gonna be tough keeping him outta the top 4. He's unreal we hit Aces on him at 7, no bullsh@t. Seeing him live this year, holy sh! We have 2 corner stones in him and MCD