He is alright, Tanner thinks he is the savior. All the while Johnson extends .....
his winning streak.


Still hope the BOA resumes in April. Flames have played so many games, only reason they are in 1st.
- FLflames34

Wait a minute....are you suggesting that johnson is a better NHL starting goaltender than Talbot? Seriously, I need a quote for my location and this would be gold.

Wait a minute....are you suggesting that johnson is a better NHL starting goaltender than Talbot? Seriously, I need a quote for my location and this would be gold.
- Larsson_fan

I'm not saying he's better than Talbot.

But 13-4-1 .932 1.98. He's probably having the best season so far of any goaltender not named Price or Dubnyk.

I was a sad panda when they traded Brossoit. He may turn out a lot better than Gillies.
- FLflames34

I'm hoping he is the starter of the future but who the (frank) knows with goalies.

You said it perfectly Bubba. You are the real.
- Larsson_fan

Danke.

Wait a minute....are you suggesting that johnson is a better NHL starting goaltender than Talbot? Seriously, I need a quote for my location and this would be gold.
- Larsson_fan

He is on a better 15 month run that is for sure. Both were career backups so to make a statement that one is the other is pointless. This season (and last) Johnson has been better.

Even if Larson is correct about what he said in the Flames thread yesterday, (of which I don't think he is), Edmonton's forward group doesn't excuse their (still) poop blue line. Kris Russell is not a top pairing defenseman, and that's coming from a guy who didn't even hate him when he was on Calgary. If Kris Russell is the best defenseman you have than you have some serious issues on the blue line. McDavid can score 10 goals a game but it doesn't matter if his defense can't defend.

Talbot is a lot better of a goaltender than he gets credit for, but he doesn't get much help, and as good as McDavid is, he can't win by himself, especially since teams have clued in to the Oilers patented "Give Connor the puck, win game" strategy.

The Oilers have the same problem they've had for the last several years: tons of talent up front (at least on paper), but a defense so porous a sponge could keep the puck out of their end better. To their credit, they HAVE tried to improve that this off-season, but Larsson and Russell aren't enough to make the Oilers suddenly competitive (especially considering who they gave up for Larsson).

Long story short, doesn't matter if the Oilers can score if they can't keep the puck out, and Talbot can't steal every game he plays. Edmonton needs defense to actually compete, and as long as they don't have it, they won't be contenders.
- Helios

Russell isn't the best defender Edmonton has. Those who are better have slumped (much like Dougie did to start the season) and thus he is being promoted not on his own merit but rather in spite of it.

He is on a better 15 month run that is for sure. Both were career backups so to make a statement that one is the other is pointless. This season (and last) Johnson has been better.
- FLflames34

Johnson is generally underrated. The #'s he's managed to put up (especially when playing for Buffalo) speak for themselves.

Why the hell won't the Oilers send Puljujarvi to the AHL? What are they waiting for?

Why the hell won't the Oilers send Puljujarvi to the AHL? What are they waiting for?
- Oildrum

Over 9 games?

Even if Larson is correct about what he said in the Flames thread yesterday, (of which I don't think he is), Edmonton's forward group doesn't excuse their (still) poop blue line. Kris Russell is not a top pairing defenseman, and that's coming from a guy who didn't even hate him when he was on Calgary. If Kris Russell is the best defenseman you have than you have some serious issues on the blue line. McDavid can score 10 goals a game but it doesn't matter if his defense can't defend.

Talbot is a lot better of a goaltender than he gets credit for, but he doesn't get much help, and as good as McDavid is, he can't win by himself, especially since teams have clued in to the Oilers patented "Give Connor the puck, win game" strategy.

The Oilers have the same problem they've had for the last several years: tons of talent up front (at least on paper), but a defense so porous a sponge could keep the puck out of their end better. To their credit, they HAVE tried to improve that this off-season, but Larsson and Russell aren't enough to make the Oilers suddenly competitive (especially considering who they gave up for Larsson).

Long story short, doesn't matter if the Oilers can score if they can't keep the puck out, and Talbot can't steal every game he plays. Edmonton needs defense to actually compete, and as long as they don't have it, they won't be contenders.
- Helios

And when will Calgary be contenders?

And when will Calgary be contenders?
- Ihatebrianburke

Guaranteed before they rebuild foeR 8 years

Russell isn't the best defender Edmonton has. Those who are better have slumped (much like Dougie did to start the season) and thus he is being promoted not on his own merit but rather in spite of it.
- Wildschwein

Where people get this idea is (frank)ing beyond me. Sekera has consistently been our best followed by Larsson. Due to his inconsistencies, I'd put Klefbom in a tie with Russell for 3rd best. Benning has been a great surprise but I can't justify him any higher until he's playing top-4 minutes regularly.

Really looking forward to Davidson getting back to see if he can continue to strengthen his shutdown game. Last year's Davidson would be a perfect partner for Larsson for a tough minutes pairing, Sekera can continue to carry Russell and Klefbom and Benning can get softer minutes and build up some confidence.

Over 9 games?
- FLflames34

He's played 22 of the OIlers 32 (including todays game). That means h's sat in the press box for a third of the games where he could be in the AHL playing every game.

Guaranteed before they rebuild foeR 8 years
- K-man25

What are you at? 7?

Guaranteed before they rebuild foeR 8 years
- K-man25

It's been awhile. You're pretty high and mighty for someone sitting in the same boat as us.

Where people get this idea is (frank)ing beyond me. Sekera has consistently been our best followed by Larsson. Due to his inconsistencies, I'd put Klefbom in a tie with Russell for 3rd best. Benning has been a great surprise but I can't justify him any higher until he's playing top-4 minutes regularly.

Really looking forward to Davidson getting back to see if he can continue to strengthen his shutdown game. Last year's Davidson would be a perfect partner for Larsson for a tough minutes pairing, Sekera can continue to carry Russell and Klefbom and Benning can get softer minutes and build up some confidence.
- MaximumBone

Sekera has been our best for sure.

He's played 22 of the OIlers 32 (including todays game). That means h's sat in the press box for a third of the games where he could be in the AHL playing every game.
- Oildrum

Is he AHL eligible? Plus they've already burnt a year of ELC.

Is he AHL eligible? Plus they've already burnt a year of ELC.
- smellmyfinger

He is AHL eligible. He should be sent down to dominate.

Is he AHL eligible? Plus they've already burnt a year of ELC.
- smellmyfinger

They should have sent him down after 9 games.

As much as I say usually say this jokingly, I genuinely think they're gonna lose this. Without the PP ticking at home, it could be a struggle to outscore these (frank)ers. That having been said, I haven't looked into Winnipeg's home vs road split.

As much as I say usually say this jokingly, I genuinely think they're gonna lose this. Without the PP ticking at home, it could be a struggle to outscore these (frank)ers. That having been said, I haven't looked into Winnipeg's home vs road split.
- MaximumBone

Winnipeg is 5-9-2 away and 8-6-1 at home.

Not 100% certain but I seem to recall they have a struggling PK and continue to be one of the most penalized teams in the league.

As much as I say usually say this jokingly, I genuinely think they're gonna lose this. Without the PP ticking at home, it could be a struggle to outscore these (frank)ers. That having been said, I haven't looked into Winnipeg's home vs road split.
- MaximumBone

Just checked and Winnipeg is 26th in PK and 24th on PP. Not very stellar.

In comparison the Oil sit 9th and 6th.

Just checked and Winnipeg is 26th in PK and 24th on PP. Not very stellar.

In comparison the Oil sit 9th and 6th.
- Wildschwein

(frank) you and your stats.

Just checked and Winnipeg is 26th in PK and 24th in PP. Not very stellar.

In comparison the Oil sit 9th and 6th.
- Wildschwein

But how about home n road splits of those special teams? Like how the Oilers PP is better on the road by a rather wide margin.