Good player.....not the impact player I would hope for.
- Jeropotato

Not for a 1st round lottery pick.

They did, BOS wasn't gonna trade him there unless they were blown away... Bc of the Gm issue
- Ur Not Me

True, my bad.

LOL at a 1st rounder for Riley Nash. He's worth a 3rd rounder on a good day. And Komarov worth a 2nd+a prospect? Way to buy high on a forward who will never sniff 20 goals - he's shooting lights out right now but watch him regress to a reasonable shooting percentage at which point the Oil would want that 2nd rounder back.

Oh and if all you get for Jordan Eberle is a 2nd/3rd line tweener in Silfverberg that is just terrible asset management. The Oilers don't need fixing up front, they need to get healthy and acquire a top 2 defenseman, which they could do by trading Eberle.
- toaster12

First, I want to thank you for offering up a reasonable argument to make your point. I would have liked it better if you didn't start off saying "lol" but beggers can't be choosers.

I think you have a solid argument, but just aren't properly valuing defensive forwards. The Oilers have enough scoring for two teams, but still don't win. Why? Saying their defensemen is too easy of an answer because Fayme, Sekera, Schultz, Klefbom, Reinhart and Nurse is not that bad of a lineup. It lacks experience and an elite #1 but that's it. It could be improved, but its not horrible.

The reason they don't win is because their forward units are one dimensional, for the most part. Once they have McD and Draisaitl in the lineup at the same time this will be neutralized, I believe, to some extent, but the fact remains you need defensive players to help out because you cant count on scoring more than 3 goals on average no matter what.

You just can't score your way out of trouble in todays NHL.

And the reason I think these are such good trades is that a) the players I want them to get are players the NHL tends to undervalue and the Oilers could afford to pay these prices or something comparable.

Three elite defensive forwards would make this team unstoppable.

You can have Loui Eriksson for a nice package, Chiarelli already loves him
- fudd1689

If he can play the right side- id absolutely consider eberle for him

You can have Loui Eriksson for a nice package, Chiarelli already loves him
- fudd1689

I would take Loui if his health wasn't a concern.....not sure I would meet whatever ridiculous asking price is being floated.

Eberle for Spurgeon, Ellis, or Vatanen. Oilers shouldn't be trading their top pick, but IF they do, it should be for a massive return. The lottery picks in the 2016 draft are almost as valuable as last year's.

If you want more scoring, make it like football. Each goal is worth 6 points! So a 2-1 game will essentially be 12-6!! So a 6-5 game is 36-30!! Lots of scoring there!!

First, I want to thank you for offering up a reasonable argument to make your point. I would have liked it better if you didn't start off saying "lol" but beggers can't be choosers.

I think you have a solid argument, but just aren't properly valuing defensive forwards. The Oilers have enough scoring for two teams, but still don't win. Why? Saying their defensemen is too easy of an answer because Fayme, Sekera, Schultz, Klefbom, Reinhart and Nurse is not that bad of a lineup. It lacks experience and an elite #1 but that's it. It could be improved, but its not horrible.

The reason they don't win is because their forward units are one dimensional, for the most part. Once they have McD and Draisaitl in the lineup at the same time this will be neutralized, I believe, to some extent, but the fact remains you need defensive players to help out because you cant count on scoring more than 3 goals on average no matter what.

You just can't score your way out of trouble in todays NHL.

And the reason I think these are such good trades is that a) the players I want them to get are players the NHL tends to undervalue and the Oilers could afford to pay these prices or something comparable.

Three elite defensive forwards would make this team unstoppable.
- James_Tanner

James.

The reason the Oilers don't win is because when the going gets tough, key players panic and start playing like individuals, abandoning the game plan, and the team game falls apart.

I would take Loui if his health wasn't a concern.....not sure I would meet whatever ridiculous asking price is being floated.
- Jeropotato

He is 100% healthy and it's showing in his game. He has been lights out for the Bruins, he is showing he is an elite three zone player. He would provide much more offensively than Tanners suggestions and be better defensively. I'm sure something could be worked out.

If he can play the right side- id absolutely consider eberle for him
- Ihateallofu

Would you be willing to give up Eberle on a UFA to be? And yes Loui can play the right side, believe he did in Dallas.

He is 100% healthy and it's showing in his game. He has been lights out for the Bruins, he is showing he is an elite three zone player. He would provide much more offensively than Tanners suggestions and be better defensively. I'm sure something could be worked out.
- fudd1689

The Oilers need a personality tho, not sure Loui is that or isn't.

Would you be willing to give up Eberle on a UFA to be? And yes Loui can play the right side, believe he did in Dallas.
- fudd1689

I wouldn't be. But I would target him like a mofo come free agency.

I wouldn't be. But I would target him like a mofo come free agency.
- Jeropotato

Don't think you need to worry about that. Your GM is in love with him

Silverfberg is a decent idea. But it kinda feels like a valuable asset wasted for a piece we need less than defence. Although it would be nice to have a two way guy on the top line. Think pakarinen could be that at some point.

The letestus, korpikoskis, Hendricks, pakarinens are all solid defensive players and doing fine. We have no need for Komarov.


These kids never learned to win and it's showing in those 1 goal games u speak of.
It's that confidence/know how that had to change if they are to turn the corner. Which is going to take some sustained success to achieve. They needed everything to go well right outta the gates if they were gonna turn it around. Unfortunately it didn't go that way. And of course - we need a top pAiring guy on the backend. Sekera has played so well lately, but he's abit overwhelmed. And depending too much on 2nd year klefbom and nurse is far from ideal.
- Ihateallofu

I hear what you're saying, but Eberle is, I think somewhat overrated. He does things that the Oilers don't really need and is the obvious trade chip, I would think. Silfververg is capable of more offense than he's showed so far this year, but he is one of the better defensive forwards around. No one on the Oilers is comparable.

Same with Komarov and Nash, they are miles ahead of guys like Henderson, Letestu etc. People think just because they have scoring the forwards don't need to be fixed, but they do. And Korpiskoski is not really a good player at all, not defensively or offensively. I would think he's among the worst players who gets a regular shift in the NHL.

Don't think you need to worry about that. Your GM is in love with him
- fudd1689

Nice add.....especially if GMPC manages to move Eberle and our 2016 1st for an elite D man.

In your last blog, you defended your thinking that it takes about 72 games to really determine if a teams position in the standings is based on skill or more on luck.

So how would you relate this to other sports. Football only has a 16 game season. So let's say a team like the Patriots finishes 15-1 (a likely outcome) while team like the Titans finishes 3-13 (another likely outcome).....are you saying that because there was such a small pool of games, that the Patriots are not necessarily a good team, but a lucky team? (Keep in mind the Patriots are probably the most injured team at the moment.

You do have an interesting idea about the blue line, though I'm not sure if widening the line leaves you with the same problem in the end. I will say that I hate these offside penalties being called when we're talking about inches or less, which isn't the intention of the rule.
- nikel

I do defend that position because its been proven and is a fact.

I can't speak about Football because I don't follow it and I am not sure what the parity level is like. In hockey, the reason luck is such a factor is because of the parity that 15 years without expansion combined with a salary cap and inflated goalie stats causes.

In the NHL, the difference between say the 3rd best through 27th best team is so marginal as to be largely decided by things like injuries and unsustainable high percentages.

The reason luck is such a factor in hockey is because the teams who get injured the least usually win and shooting/save percentages start to taper towards career norms the larger the sample size becomes.

Also, it is appreciated to argue/discuss in a respectful manner.

Nice add.....especially if GMPC manages to move Eberle and our 2016 1st for an elite D man.
- Jeropotato

Good luck, My Bruins are still looking for that

He is 100% healthy and it's showing in his game. He has been lights out for the Bruins, he is showing he is an elite three zone player. He would provide much more offensively than Tanners suggestions and be better defensively. I'm sure something could be worked out.
- fudd1689

Silfverberg is better defensively, younger, not a concussion away from retiring, and signed for several more years. I like him much better than Erikson.

I can't believe how much you think the game is played on paper James?

The Oilers are such a polarizing topic I can see why you bring them up almost daily, it's fun, or it used to be, to try and predict when they'll finally NOT need something to succeed.

To me your suggestions are laughable at best, they need a lot more than a few bit pieces from other teams to succeed. Not to mention Riley Nash was drafted by the Oilers and he made it quite clear he didn't want to play for the organization.

After drafting what would be the BPA in much of the past five drafts they've assembled a bunch of like-minded/talent players. Which lends itself to much of their issues. What the really need to do now is concentrate from the net out and go from there.

Their goaltending, although not elite by any means, seems to have slightly improved according to the eye test. But there's still much room for improvement there! Their defence is really where they need to improve the most! That's where you make RNH, Jordan Eberle and Nail Yakupov available for trade.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, if I were them, I'd build around Hall, McDavid, Draisaitl, Nurse and Klefbom. The Oilers as a whole need to be harder to play against!

Championship teams are built through the middle of the ice, a number one dman and goaltending

I hear what you're saying, but Eberle is, I think somewhat overrated. He does things that the Oilers don't really need and is the obvious trade chip, I would think. Silfververg is capable of more offense than he's showed so far this year, but he is one of the better defensive forwards around. No one on the Oilers is comparable.

Same with Komarov and Nash, they are miles ahead of guys like Henderson, Letestu etc. People think just because they have scoring the forwards don't need to be fixed, but they do. And Korpiskoski is not really a good player at all, not defensively or offensively. I would think he's among the worst players who gets a regular shift in the NHL.
- James_Tanner

but that's just it. nuge and leon are both quality defensive players. this isn't a huge issue so why give up an asset that's valuable enough to garner another that we need more? its still the halls and eberles that have defensive miscues. and hall aint going anywhere obviously.
as far as eberle overrated, maybe I guess. but his offensive numbers over 4 seasons cant be argued. and that has value. the only thing that matters is his value on the open market-not whether we believe his skillset is redundant or whatever.

Hendricks does far more for this team than just be a defensive player. leader, physical presence, moves up and down the lineup. its no coincidence hes got a letter. and mclellan doesn't agree with your assessment of korpikoski at all. "trusts him to play in all situations" and does so.

they held the caps to 1, pens to 2 etc etc. theyre not a total mess defensively any longer. they need to learn to win those games in the 3rd. or at least not completely blow points. and riley nash is going to do nothing to change this fundamental issue. its got to be hall, connor, nurse etc that take over in those situations.

and of course they do need an established top pairing guy that works all over the ice. but especially deal with the forecheck (which is a tried and true method for beating the oilers) and move the puck out. (which in itself has drastically improved this year-but still could be much much better)

as I said- I do like the idea of silverfberg. but I think we could do better for eberle (a resigned Eriksson

imo, youre missing the real crux of the oilers issues. and I don't think komarov or nash do much for this team. if anything

I can't believe how much you think the game is played on paper James?

The Oilers are such a polarizing topic I can see why you bring them up almost daily, it's fun, or it used to be, to try and predict when they'll finally NOT need something to succeed.

To me your suggestions are laughable at best, they need a lot more than a few bit pieces from other teams to succeed. Not to mention Riley Nash was drafted by the Oilers and he made it quite clear he didn't want to play for the organization.

After drafting what would be the BPA in much of the past five drafts they've assembled a bunch of like-minded/talent players. Which lends itself to much of their issues. What the really need to do now is concentrate from the net out and go from there.

Their goaltending, although not elite by any means, seems to have slightly improved according to the eye test. But there's still much room for improvement there! Their defence is really where they need to improve the most! That's where you make RNH, Jordan Eberle and Nail Yakupov available for trade.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, if I were them, I'd build around Hall, McDavid, Draisaitl, Nurse and Klefbom. The Oilers as a whole need to be harder to play against!
- LeftCoaster

Good post. It's been debated for years what the oilers need to be successful. They tried a number of different things but what they have never been able to do was add key impact veteran players that can lead on and off the ice. Guys like Ferrence and Smyth work hard and say the right things but simply couldn't put the team on their backs when things got rough.
I have never viewed the core as a group of key contributing players, ( really, what have they contributed to?), but a collection of assets.

To me it's near time to parlay RNH , Eberle ( Schultz and Yak have no trade value) and our next 2 first rounders Into a legit top 6 impact veteran ( preferable a center) and a legit top pair RH Defender.
Players that can slap some sense into who ever starts to panick when we're down a goal, and then go out and get it done .


And for (frank)s sake, how about a consistent (frank)ing goalie that can steal a win or 2 like Cujo used to?

Silfverberg is better defensively, younger, not a concussion away from retiring, and signed for several more years. I like him much better than Erikson.
- James_Tanner

I don't think better defensively is a fact by any means.
Eriksson is a great defensive forward. been one of the better two way forwards int the game for a long time. and with top level puck skills too.

and his offensive skills far outstrip silfverbergs. at this point, they aren't close.
could change I guess

cant argue too much with the concussion issue and contract. but if louie could be signed at somewhere within a mil of jakob is, id take erikson without a doubt

Good post. It's been debated for years what the oilers need to be successful. They tried a number of different things but what they have never been able to do was add key impact veteran players that can lead on and off the ice. Guys like Ferrence and Smyth work hard and say the right things but simply couldn't put the team on their backs when things got rough.
I have never viewed the core as a group of key contributing players, ( really, what have they contributed to?), but a collection of assets.

To me it's near time to parlay RNH , Eberle ( Schultz and Yak have no trade value) and our next 2 first rounders Into a legit top 6 impact veteran ( preferable a center) and a legit top pair RH Defender.
Players that can slap some sense into who ever starts to panick when we're down a goal, and then go out and get it done .


And for (frank)s sake, how about a consistent (frank)ing goalie that can steal a win or 2 like Cujo used to?
- Jeropotato

The Oilers are a prime example, although not the only one, of why I detest the thought of a full-on "clear the table" rebuild for the Canucks. I want Benning to continue to (seemingly) draft well and bring kids up in a competitive environment. Bo Horvat has more playoff experience than Hall, RNH, Eberle, Yak, etc. etc. combined….which will serve him well going forward IMO.

It's a twofold issue for the Oilers, no one (vets) wanted to go there once they went full rebuild, and management (Kevin Lowe) felt (IMO) they could re-live the "Boys on the Bus" years…which is ridiculous!

BUT NOW, they've finally been able to draft a generational player in McDavid. Previously they didn't have any veteran players to insulate those kids, now guys may want to go there to play with Connor.

They still need to draft well in rounds 2 through 7 though, another "issue" with the organization.

but that's just it. nuge and leon are both quality defensive players. this isn't a huge issue so why give up an asset that's valuable enough to garner another that we need more? its still the halls and eberles that have defensive miscues. and hall aint going anywhere obviously.
as far as eberle overrated, maybe I guess. but his offensive numbers over 4 seasons cant be argued. and that has value. the only thing that matters is his value on the open market-not whether we believe his skillset is redundant or whatever.

Hendricks does far more for this team than just be a defensive player. leader, physical presence, moves up and down the lineup. its no coincidence hes got a letter. and mclellan doesn't agree with your assessment of korpikoski at all. "trusts him to play in all situations" and does so.

they held the caps to 1, pens to 2 etc etc. theyre not a total mess defensively any longer. they need to learn to win those games in the 3rd. or at least not completely blow points. and riley nash is going to do nothing to change this fundamental issue. its got to be hall, connor, nurse etc that take over in those situations.

and of course they do need an established top pairing guy that works all over the ice. but especially deal with the forecheck (which is a tried and true method for beating the oilers) and move the puck out. (which in itself has drastically improved this year-but still could be much much better)

as I said- I do like the idea of silverfberg. but I think we could do better for eberle (a resigned Eriksson

imo, youre missing the real crux of the oilers issues. and I don't think komarov or nash do much for this team. if anything
- Ihateallofu

Adding three defensive forwards, one for each line, is exactly what the Oilers need. I'm fine with Hendricks on the fourth line. And you're too smart to take what coaches say to the media as realistic assessments, or to appeal to authority like that.

Korpiskoski has 38% possession and has two 5v5 points this year. Those are sub-enforcer numbers. He has been over 46% once in his career. The Oilers are currently giving 14 minutes per game to one of the literal worst players in the NHL.

I really and truly believe the only reason someone would take Erikson over Silfverberg is that they don't actually know how good Silfverberg is. Actually, all three guys I mentioned are Selke worthy players, among the NHL's elite defensive players. They would make this team so good you have no idea. This isn't on paper, these are real life guys who don't score much but grind out victories in a way that should be obvious to anyone who watches them.

Add in a legit #1 Dman and 3 elite defensive players to a lineup that is already the most talented offensive group in hockey (at least on paper) and I think you have a legit Cup team.

I can't believe how much you think the game is played on paper James?

The Oilers are such a polarizing topic I can see why you bring them up almost daily, it's fun, or it used to be, to try and predict when they'll finally NOT need something to succeed.

To me your suggestions are laughable at best, they need a lot more than a few bit pieces from other teams to succeed. Not to mention Riley Nash was drafted by the Oilers and he made it quite clear he didn't want to play for the organization.

After drafting what would be the BPA in much of the past five drafts they've assembled a bunch of like-minded/talent players. Which lends itself to much of their issues. What the really need to do now is concentrate from the net out and go from there.

Their goaltending, although not elite by any means, seems to have slightly improved according to the eye test. But there's still much room for improvement there! Their defence is really where they need to improve the most! That's where you make RNH, Jordan Eberle and Nail Yakupov available for trade.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, if I were them, I'd build around Hall, McDavid, Draisaitl, Nurse and Klefbom. The Oilers as a whole need to be harder to play against!

Championship teams are built through the middle of the ice, a number one dman and goaltending
- LeftCoaster

That's his M.O. and the line of thinking that leads him to the conclusion that Cody Franson is a better defenseman than Brent Seabrook, among many other mysteries.