What a joke. Not using alts? Where is the new banter locate (guessing reddit)? This place (frank)ing blows these days. Sorry Hallfan.
- RonPielep

Hallfan will now write a blog about how it doesn't suck.

Yes of course Mact was useless in relation to chiarelli.

Mact was never interested in reinhart unlike genius pc.....

Mact never wanted the best defender on the free agent market.
And not only that, it certainly wasn't mcdavid that made signing sekera possible, it was all on pc's brilliant hockey mind, but mact's failure

Signing a 4th line centre and a big, physical 3rd pairing guy was also something that Mact could've never had the hockey sense to do...

Well said matt
- HB77

My sarcasm detector just blew the (frank) up.

Hallfan will now write a blog about how it doesn't suck.
- SJSharks39

Both Hallfan and Oilhorse can suck it.

1) MacT was useless. Team went backwards, rebuild stalled, poor coaching choices, cant identify defensemen at all.

2) It's extremely difficult to be critical of Chia right now considering the team already looks much better than it did under MacT. However, I did think the Reinhart deal was questionable. There isn't anyone out there who has been unhappy with more than that.

3) MacT was useless. Did I already mention that?
- Matt_Henderson

I disagree the team looks a much better than it did before.

Sekera replaces Petry and perhaps is slightly better. Considering he's only ever played more than 22 minutes in one season (23:40 in 13/14) and usually averages 20-21 the last few, I don't see him being that top pairing guy we needed.

Talbot is a wild card. Going into the season with him in net is no different than us starting last year with Scrivens. Scrivens had .922 sv% in 40gp going into last season, Talbot has .926 sv% in 36gp going into this season.

Gryba is your run of the mill 6th physical defense-men. How much he helps is probably negligible.

Gordon was replaced with Letestu, Gordon is likely the better player, although more expensive.

Korpikoski will be a good pickup if he returns to his 2010-2011 form.

How much McDavid makes our team is still in question, I honestly think it won't be a huge improvement over Roy as the bigger issues (defense) haven't been addressed.

The biggest improvement the team has made, is the replacement of Eakins. That already happened before Chia took over. You're praise of Chia and hate tread of MacT is unwarranted. The core of the team was built by MacT.

What a joke. Not using alts? Where is the new banter locate (guessing reddit)? This place (frank)ing blows these days. Sorry Hallfan.
- RonPielep

All the alts taken out permanently too.

I disagree the team looks a much better than it did before.

Sekera replaces Petry and perhaps is slightly better. Considering he's only ever played more than 22 minutes in one season (23:40 in 13/14) and usually averages 20-21 the last few, I don't see him being that top pairing guy we needed.

Talbot is a wild card. Going into the season with him in net is no different than us starting last year with Scrivens. Scrivens had .922 sv% in 40gp going into last season, Talbot has .926 sv% in 36gp going into this season.

Gryba is your run of the mill 6th physical defense-men. How much he helps is probably negligible.

Gordon was replaced with Letestu, Gordon is likely the better player, although more expensive.

Korpikoski will be a good pickup if he returns to his 2010-2011 form.

How much McDavid makes our team is still in question, I honestly think it won't be a huge improvement over Roy as the bigger issues (defense) haven't been addressed.

The biggest improvement the team has made, is the replacement of Eakins. That already happened before Chia took over. You're praise of Chia and hate tread of MacT is unwarranted. The core of the team was built by MacT.
- rathagor

Well well. Another guy smart enough to see through the bullpoop.

Good post.

Matt will now label you a Mact apologist as he has with myself and HB77.

All the alts taken out permanently too.
- Iggysbff

Ip bans im assuming, because they can always create new alts otherwise.

Ip bans im assuming, because they can always create new alts otherwise.
- benmacw

Oh they had alts....many many alts...

They got all of their alts banned, and they got their new site shut down already
- leonkennedy

Its back according to Dangles.

I disagree the team looks a much better than it did before.

Sekera replaces Petry and perhaps is slightly better. Considering he's only ever played more than 22 minutes in one season (23:40 in 13/14) and usually averages 20-21 the last few, I don't see him being that top pairing guy we needed.

Talbot is a wild card. Going into the season with him in net is no different than us starting last year with Scrivens. Scrivens had .922 sv% in 40gp going into last season, Talbot has .926 sv% in 36gp going into this season.

Gryba is your run of the mill 6th physical defense-men. How much he helps is probably negligible.

Gordon was replaced with Letestu, Gordon is likely the better player, although more expensive.

Korpikoski will be a good pickup if he returns to his 2010-2011 form.

How much McDavid makes our team is still in question, I honestly think it won't be a huge improvement over Roy as the bigger issues (defense) haven't been addressed.

The biggest improvement the team has made, is the replacement of Eakins. That already happened before Chia took over. You're praise of Chia and hate tread of MacT is unwarranted. The core of the team was built by MacT.
- rathagor

This is a fantastic post

The biggest things are mcdavid and further waiting development from the klefboms/another year closer for nurse etc etc.
but I'm extremely concerned about the excitement so many have for this team.
In so many ways (like u described) this team might have exactly the same issues as previous years

This is a fantastic post

The biggest things are mcdavid and further waiting development from the klefboms/another year closer for nurse etc etc.
but I'm extremely concerned about the excitement so many have for this team.
In so many ways (like u described) this team might have exactly the same issues as previous years
- HB77

The team is almost identical to last year. The biggest difference will be what you stated and McLellan.imo.

Reinhart while lots of potential has taken a step back in ny's eyes and probably shouldn't be expected as more than a 3rd pairing stay at home contributor.
Without that step back and ny's additions, he wouldn't have even been available

Sekera is probably a safer option than petry, but not the physical player Jeff is. Marginally better both ways most likely.

Gryba is a typical physical 3rd pairing guy.

Letestu apparently is the superior skater, but is he gonna be much better than Gordon? Can we even expect more than Gordon provided?

Talbot has a ton of potential, but is he a far different piece than what mact got in scrivens and fasth? On paper and actual pedigree, no.

Everyone else is a year older, so thats good I guess

Its back according to Dangles.
- TheMoustache

Yes sir. The first warning has been sent, and now it is only a matter of time before the same guys that post the same obscene crap, are getting their accounts banned

The team is almost identical to last year. The biggest difference will be what you stated and McLellan.imo.
- Iggysbff

Agreed.
McClellan is an exciting and positive addition.
But how defensively responsible are his teams really?
Which is something we need from coaching

Yes sir. The first warning has been sent, and now it is only a matter of time before the same guys that post the same obscene crap, are getting their accounts banned
- leonkennedy

What's it called?

This is a fantastic post

The biggest things are mcdavid and further waiting development from the klefboms/another year closer for nurse etc etc.
but I'm extremely concerned about the excitement so many have for this team.
In so many ways (like u described) this team might have exactly the same issues as previous years
- HB77

Klefbom could theoretically step up and become that top-pairing dman we've been missing that would help enormously but that is likely wishful thinking.

Alot of things have to go right for us to meet some of the expectations people have.

Our season turned around when we acquired Roy and replaced Eakins with Nelson. So if we assume that McDavid can sufficiently replace Roy and that McClellan will do at least as good as Nelson then we are looking at roughly 70pts this upcoming season. Assuming nothing else improves (e.g. Defense and Goaltending), that is still poop.

Hit the nail on the head Matt! Craig should stick to laundry! Guy was scared of getting hosed! Wish the Oilers would have stuck with him, could be going for another first overall!
Now we'll see if Peter learned anything in Boston about managing the cap?

Matt always enjoy your articles, even if it's about the Oilers Keep up the good work!
This site is better with all the bans, still a few that could go. More hockey talk now.

I disagree the team looks a much better than it did before.

Sekera replaces Petry and perhaps is slightly better. Considering he's only ever played more than 22 minutes in one season (23:40 in 13/14) and usually averages 20-21 the last few, I don't see him being that top pairing guy we needed.

Talbot is a wild card. Going into the season with him in net is no different than us starting last year with Scrivens. Scrivens had .922 sv% in 40gp going into last season, Talbot has .926 sv% in 36gp going into this season.

Gryba is your run of the mill 6th physical defense-men. How much he helps is probably negligible.

Gordon was replaced with Letestu, Gordon is likely the better player, although more expensive.

Korpikoski will be a good pickup if he returns to his 2010-2011 form.

How much McDavid makes our team is still in question, I honestly think it won't be a huge improvement over Roy as the bigger issues (defense) haven't been addressed.

The biggest improvement the team has made, is the replacement of Eakins. That already happened before Chia took over. You're praise of Chia and hate tread of MacT is unwarranted. The core of the team was built by MacT.
- rathagor

Pretty much bang on with everything you said. However I think it's worth noting, that while Sekera does essentially replace Petry (and an improvement) MacT also traded Petry before the season was done. In that fact it should be considered a huge upgrade. While I would rate Gordon as a better defensive player, Letestu has more versatility and coule slot into a third line role as well.

Either way, the team has a long way to go. These were good moves for a GM coming into a team built like the Oilers were. If they can be competitive this year and Chia can then add the pieces to make this a playoff team next summer , that will be the true test of his skill as a GM.

Its back according to Dangles.
- TheMoustache

What?
They got the other site shut down?

For what?

What?
They got the other site shut down?

For what?
- HB77

For pretty much the same reason they were exiled from this site, and forced to join another one. Reveen is a bad, bad man.

For pretty much the same reason they were exiled from this site, and forced to join another one. Reveen is a bad, bad man.
- leonkennedy

But wasn't it their own site?

I'm not excited about this prospect

I disagree the team looks a much better than it did before.

Sekera replaces Petry and perhaps is slightly better. Considering he's only ever played more than 22 minutes in one season (23:40 in 13/14) and usually averages 20-21 the last few, I don't see him being that top pairing guy we needed.

Talbot is a wild card. Going into the season with him in net is no different than us starting last year with Scrivens. Scrivens had .922 sv% in 40gp going into last season, Talbot has .926 sv% in 36gp going into this season.

Gryba is your run of the mill 6th physical defense-men. How much he helps is probably negligible.

Gordon was replaced with Letestu, Gordon is likely the better player, although more expensive.

Korpikoski will be a good pickup if he returns to his 2010-2011 form.

How much McDavid makes our team is still in question, I honestly think it won't be a huge improvement over Roy as the bigger issues (defense) haven't been addressed.

The biggest improvement the team has made, is the replacement of Eakins. That already happened before Chia took over. You're praise of Chia and hate tread of MacT is unwarranted. The core of the team was built by MacT.
- rathagor

Any moron could have built that core. Now four 1st overall picks, plus Eberle, Nurse, and maybe Draisaitl. No skill, or strategy needed to make those picks.

Any moron could have built that core. Now four 1st overall picks, plus Eberle, Nurse, and maybe Draisaitl. No skill, or strategy needed to make those picks.
- dr_soiledpants

For your reference MacT was the GM for about 2 years, and didn't make those previous decisions. Tambs made those 1st overall picks and yes he was a moron. Eberle I believe was drafted by Lowe. Nurse and Draisalt were drafted by MacT. Nurse was drafted at 7th, with plenty of other solid players available that could have been drafted instead, although most anticipated that Nurse was the guy we wanted.

Perhaps core was the wrong word to use. What I was more referring to was acquisition of players such as Klinkhammer, Hendricks and Fayne that have played very well for us. These are the kind of players that Tambs failed to acquire.

Either way, my main point was that Chia has really done nothing spectacular to warrant such high praise. He has made mostly lateral moves.

I find it funny how the majority of players are Canadian born, mllions are spent developing their players, yet it's American based teams that have won like 22 Straight Stanley Cups..Whats even funnier is with Bettman's Revenue Sharing, the 7 Canadian franchises actually pay millions to keep some of these American based teams afloat. Boy, you fans North of the border are really gullible.