Handy coming in hot Love this guy
- DDM-Coga

who thought we would see the day when we actually agree with something hanley says

I for one enjoy Tanners out of the box thinking. I mean we all come here as a form of entertainment, whats wrong with being a shepherd instead of another sheep spewing the same drivel as everyone else. It starts conversations which is what this site is for.
- TonkaPhaneuf

Intelligence?

Schultz was a bust I guess if you ignore all the stats that say he's actually pretty good.

Stay at home defenseman are going the way of the enforcer. You must move the puck and skate to play. Just go pull up an of the dozen graphs available and compare Schultz to Polak.

Yes, it's completely crazy to think a #3 overall pick who dominated the leagues he played in last year will have trouble being effective in the NHL at 19 when the team can shelter him and doesn't need him to play a main role.

Yakupov has talent. And was used terribly. Let's credit Todd McLellen with having a brain.
- James_Tanner

Shultz was a disaster last season; he has the talent but hasn't put it together yet. Playing 22-23 minutes a game last season was a big mistake.

As for Yakupov, yes he was used terribly and I blame Eakins for completely (frank)ing him up for the time he was the coach. With more minutes he proved he could produce, and playing with RNH or McDavid is certainly not going to hurt his production next yeak. McLellan definitely has more in the brains department than any of the previous coaches that have passed through the Oilers' revolving door, so here's hoping he uses Yak properly.

If Talbot is a legit #1, and the young D on this team all big steps of improvement, McDavid proves he is the next Crosby, and major injury to any of the guys up front, sure I believe the Oilers are a playoff team... but that's alot of "if's".

Tanner enjoys the attention from his misguided comments and opinions. Calgary is CLEARLY a better team than last year and they were a 2nd round playoff team. In what universe does Eberle, Hall, Yakupov = winning? Hall is such a loser he finds it funny how bad they've been. He tweeted McDavid "dont f-up what we built here"....Oil are a bunch of tiny skill forwards that dont know what a back-check is Yes, they now have a POTENTIALLY great player in McDavid. Andre Sekera #1D? HAHAHA good luck! your analysis is so flawed Tanner... if people actually stopped reading your garbage and responding to your posts you would be kicked from this site.

who thought we would see the day when we actually agree with something hanley says
- ChetManly

I'm convinced he is a Canadian trolling as an American.

He's like Honky with the over the top cowboy speak.

I honestly think you are the dumbest blogger. Mcdavid is a rookie. Crosby scored over 100 points his rookie year and they still sucked. One player will not make you over 30 points better. He is good player and will be great but you cant expect him to be savior first season. He will get around 60 points but will need to adjust to the NHL. He has never played with NHL players before, not saying he cant handle it but OHL to NHL is bit of a difference.

Oilers defense is still missing player or two. Sekera is offensive dman and wont help shutting down top lines. Goalie is very questionable. He could turn into stud or dud never know. If plays like Dubynk they make playoffs for sure but that is big IF. He will face alot of shots with Edmonton defense.

Not to mention they play in the west. You honestly think Oilers are better then Flames, Kings, Ducks. Because they will be locks for playoffs in my opinion. So for wildcard they will need to fight off sharks, jets, Avalanche, Wild, and the Stars. That is alot of competition for team who had 62 points last season.
- hanleyaj

Coaching and personell changes alone will generate 10+ wins next season... They may squeak into the playoffs but thats a tall order... McDavid gets to play with competent players- he will have a huge learning curve but that curve will be lessened by his linemates and what is anticiapted as our first competent vet coaching staff since Tom Renney... The Jets, Avs, Wild and Stars will definitely have their hands full with this team... As for the Kings- who knows how they perform- the lost alot of players of negative stigma- and gained Lucic... they have something to prove- but its not a given it will work out either... Flames have awesome goaltending and defense now- but their fwds dont match line for line to that of the Oilers... The Ducks- should own the conference...

Agree that he was kind of given away, but technically, that pick we got for him was sent to Ottawa for Gryba. A Marincin for Gryba move is a massive win for the Oilers.
- kingbrehm

I guess if you look it that way. The issue I have is you probably didn't need to move Marincin to get a pick to move for Gryba. PC just kinda made it look that way so that it looks like we got something for Marincin.

I guess if you look it that way. The issue I have is you probably didn't need to move Marincin to get a pick to move for Gryba. PC just kinda made it look that way so that it looks like we got something for Marincin.
- Lahey

He also managed to drop a roster spot in that trade (Brad Ross)

I'm convinced he is a Canadian trolling as an American.

He's like Honky with the over the top cowboy speak.
- mdw7413

I don't even know what to think anymore

I like the posts. Anything that arouses controversy is always fun despite the bickering. I think it will take a full season to actually get the Oilers on track to become a playoff team. McLellan needs a solid training camp and a full season to get his system in place with a young team. McDavid needs a full season to acclimate to the NHL. McLellan needs time to get all of these young stars to start playing 200' feet of hockey. He needs time to get a beleaguered blue line playing smart D. Their young D can make a huge step forward but it will be rough.

In order to make the playoffs, they will have to come out of the gates in full force. They need to steal pts from veteran teams that take longer to get going. They can't drop important pts to lower level teams.

I am actually really excited for both Alberta teams. I am from NS but live in Calgary. I like the Flames D. That's awesome and it will keep them in contention for the playoffs from year to year. Picking up Hamilton gives them wicked D. The Oilers needed to land that guy then we could really say they were on the way. I would have offered up Yakupov and maybe even Schultz for him - so long as he signed an extension.

Next year should be interesting. Heck the rest of the offseason looks intriguing. Lots of solid D still on the market.

My prediction for the Pacific:
Anaheim
LA - they will fix their D and Lucic will rock - Contract year
Calgary
Edmonton
SJ - New coach same problems. Needs a retool or a rebuild.
Vancouver - holes on D.
Arizona - Still in need of a massive overhaul.

Not even Crosby could bring his team anywhere close to the playoffs his rookie year and he ended up with over 100 pts

Yes , it was a fluke. You were one of the worst possession teams in the league and had the highest shooting percentage. It was a fluke that you just barely squeaked into the playoffs. Don't get me wrong, congrats for making the playoffs, must of been a great year to cheer for the flames. was still a fluke though.
- SpoiledByOil

so if we were one of the worst possession teams in the league, wouldn't that mean our numbers are probably going to go up next year? (with additions of Hamilton, frolik, and having a healthy gio) it's more than likely. And guys like bouma and hudler had ridiculous shooting percentages, so that inflated most of the team. Who says guys like mony and gaudreau etc can't have similar years? Your argument is running out dude.

Not even Crosby could bring his team anywhere close to the playoffs his rookie year and he ended up with over 100 pts
- Streit2ThePoint

He didn't take the Penguins to the playoffs his first year either.

What Oiler fans are expecting is to be playing meaningful games in the spring. Challenge for a wild card spot, but not actually make the playoffs, but if we do, awesome. That will be a huge indication the the years of terrible are over.

In my opinion there were 4 things that hampered the Oilers last season (in no particular order):

1. Coaching
2. Second Line Centre position
3. Defense
4. Goaltending.

When we switched from Draisaitl to Roy and Eakins to Nelson, the team played much better. Before those two changes we were on track to win all of 17 games. After those two changes we won an additional 17 games. Personally I think the replacement of Eakins was the bigger of the two changes. Now we have McClellan and McDavid, this should really resolve issues #1 and #2.

#3 is still an issue, Sekera replaces Petry and might be slightly better hard to say. Gryba is a solid addition. Hopefully Klefbom will continue to progress.

I'm not sold on Talbot yet, he's just another promising backup. Scrivens looked good too after the end of the 13-14 season and look how that worked out, so I don't think #4 is solved yet.

so if we were one of the worst possession teams in the league, wouldn't that mean our numbers are probably going to go up next year? (with additions of Hamilton, frolik, and having a healthy gio) it's more than likely. And guys like bouma and hudler had ridiculous shooting percentages, so that inflated most of the team. Who says guys like mony and gaudreau etc can't have similar years? Your argument is running out dude.
- Emcee27

There is always a chance...

In my opinion there were 4 things that hampered the Oilers last season (in no particular order):

1. Coaching
2. Second Line Centre position
3. Defense
4. Goaltending.

When we switched from Draisaitl to Roy and Eakins to Nelson, the team played much better. Before those two changes we were on track to win all of 17 games. After those two changes we won an additional 17 games. Personally I think the replacement of Eakins was the bigger of the two changes. Now we have McClellan and McDavid, this should really resolve issues #1 and #2.

#3 is still an issue, Sekera replaces Petry and might be slightly better hard to say. Gryba is a solid addition. Hopefully Klefbom will continue to progress.

I'm not sold on Talbot yet, he's just another promising backup. Scrivens looked good too after the end of the 13-14 season and look how that worked out, so I don't think #4 is solved yet.
- rathagor

There's actual competition in net this year. Plus an upgraded defense should help show results in goaltending.

It's going to be a long summer before we see the team on the ice again.

so if we were one of the worst possession teams in the league, wouldn't that mean our numbers are probably going to go up next year? (with additions of Hamilton, frolik, and having a healthy gio) it's more than likely. And guys like bouma and hudler had ridiculous shooting percentages, so that inflated most of the team. Who says guys like mony and gaudreau etc can't have similar years? Your argument is running out dude.
- Emcee27

In the way many others respond:

No.



It should be an interesting year for hockey in Alberta

In my opinion there were 4 things that hampered the Oilers last season (in no particular order):

1. Coaching
2. Second Line Centre position
3. Defense
4. Goaltending.

When we switched from Draisaitl to Roy and Eakins to Nelson, the team played much better. Before those two changes we were on track to win all of 17 games. After those two changes we won an additional 17 games. Personally I think the replacement of Eakins was the bigger of the two changes. Now we have McClellan and McDavid, this should really resolve issues #1 and #2.

#3 is still an issue, Sekera replaces Petry and might be slightly better hard to say. Gryba is a solid addition. Hopefully Klefbom will continue to progress.

I'm not sold on Talbot yet, he's just another promising backup. Scrivens looked good too after the end of the 13-14 season and look how that worked out, so I don't think #4 is solved yet.
- rathagor

This! If Talbot turns out half decent we are on our way...

He didn't take the Penguins to the playoffs his first year either.

What Oiler fans are expecting is to be playing meaningful games in the spring. Challenge for a wild card spot, but not actually make the playoffs, but if we do, awesome. That will be a huge indication the the years of terrible are over.
- ChetManly

I think they'll get close, sure. And the years of terrible are over me thinks. But saying that they'll make the playoffs easily is a far stretch.

Not even Crosby could bring his team anywhere close to the playoffs his rookie year and he ended up with over 100 pts
- Streit2ThePoint

Always hated that argument. When Crosby put up his 100 point rookie season he had almost no support (don't give me Lemieux as he only played 26 games). With the NHL today I don't see how McDavid comes close to putting up 100 points, however he has the likes of RNH, Hall, Eberle, and Pouliot in his top 6. Yes the Oilers have question marks on the back end but they will not be a lottery team.

There is always a chance...
- saskoil21

He thinks if he embraces it that it won't be true.
- James_Tanner

And you think that if you compare any popular opinion to nickelback or glee it makes you right.

In the way many others respond:

No.



It should be an interesting year for hockey in Alberta
- ChetManly

Well, it probly can't get any worse right


Yeah it will be for sure, both teams made good moves! Can't wait for the season to start

I am an avid Oiler fan, and even though I'm an optimistic person, years of temptation has left me cautious at best. I would love nothing more than to see the Oilers make the playoffs, but I cannot say they will or not. There are too many unknown variables.

That said, were the Oilers not on pace to have 85-90 points while Nelson was coaching? I can't remember specifically. I do believe 100% that their roster has gotten better and they now have an established coach, so it can't be unrealistic to say they make it.

I think they'll get close, sure. And the years of terrible are over me thinks. But saying that they'll make the playoffs easily is a far stretch.
- Streit2ThePoint

In their conference? Not a chance. But close is what we want to see.

Imagine there was some how Edmonton/Calgary in the conference final