At the start of the season, I felt that if all key players stayed healthy, Giroux was able to bounce back and the rest of the vets did what they usually do and the goaltending was at least marginally better than last year, that they would finish with 92-95 points and be a bubble team.

So, they already lost AMac for a month, Gudas for 10 games due to abject stupidity, Patrick for a few weeks, and Simmonds seems to be playing injured. So much for staying healthy. Add to that some other vets that are underperforming and Ghost regressing quickly after a fast start and this is what you are going to get. Honestly, if it wasn't for Provorov and Couturier, this team would be right down there with Buffalo and Arizona.

They had no wiggle room for injuries or any other miscues. At this point, I expect them to move some vets and finish with 82-87 points. They will be looking at a top 10 pick and possibly top 5 or even 3 with a little luck.

I can live with this. But next year is when I have to see some serious strides being made towards contention. This is the last year I'm willing to be patient.
- BiggE

Well being better then AZ Yotes may be a stretch, we handed them their first win.
We will get rolled in rematch I'm sure.

Ooh now you did it, you broke the page!

edit: well done, Sir.

Natural selection will be our way to a cup then. We can only have a team of Machines!!!
- Konalover

via Imgflip Meme Generator

Ooh now you did it, you broke the page!

edit: well done, Sir.
- BiggE

Ive been trying to be the adult in here all day. As the senior poster it falls on me to keep things straight. LOL!!!

via Imgflip Meme Generator
- MBFlyerfan

Sam Morin ?

Ive been trying to be the adult in here all day. As the senior poster it falls on me to keep things straight. LOL!!!
- MBFlyerfan

Sam Morin ?
- landros 2

That is how imagine Ivan Provorov to be during his workouts.

Flyers and Oilers Discuss RNH

http://www.hockeybuzz.com...hart-TonightBuzz3/1/89244

If it is, then there was really no point in speaking to the media if he's just going to flat-out lie to them.
- jmatchett383

That is not true. Think of your work. A company comes and buys your work. Now all of a sudden people are worried about their jobs, changes are being made to the way you do things. What do you think the Execs are going to come out and say to the workers? They are going to sit there and tell you what you want to hear to keep you from leaving at least until they are done with you. My work just laid a bunch of people off work before Christmas and they had us all in a meeting and talked about how this isnt what they wanted to do but it had to be done and they did it with the most professionalism possible and that no one would be getting raises or bonus this year because profits had declined(They actually went quite out of their way to tell us they still make a good profit, it just has gone down) but we should stick around for a sense of accomplishment of doing something big for the company.

Hextall is doing the same thing. He is saying everything is fine and nothing is going to change when something likely will.

Flyers and Oilers Discuss RNH

http://www.hockeybuzz.com...hart-TonightBuzz3/1/89244
- Scoob

In a way it's interesting because the Oilers need defenders. Just not sure who you would move.

Probably unpopular but would you see if Gostisbehere for RNH get's it done?

And hence, we are ALL talking about Hexy and his comments, and not talking about Hak, or the players.

pressure....off
- MBFlyerfan

So let me get this straight.

Hextall set me up to react the way i did last night and this morning. But then when i reacted the way i did you came in here to call me a pot stirrer and hyperbole.

And i should have understood what Hextall was doing and not take him at face value for what he said. I should be reading into what he said and speculate on what is really going on?

As long as Giroux is leading the team it will never change. Paying Giroux & Vorachek 17 million for what? Neither are worth it. 9 game losing streak has either one scored a game changing goal or put the team on its back with a dominant performance to get a W, no. We are rebuilding with young guys time to ship both out. Sign John Taveras next year only 27, true superstar. You saw what he did against us last weeknight OT, when have you seen anything like that from our top guys?

In a way it's interesting because the Oilers need defenders. Just not sure who you would move.

Probably unpopular but would you see if Gostisbehere for RNH get's it done?
- J35Bacher

That would be my pick. I haven't looked at RNH in a long while so I don't have an opinion on him right now.

As long as Giroux is leading the team it will never change. Paying Giroux & Vorachek 17 million for what? Neither are worth it. 9 game losing streak has either one scored a game changing goal or put the team on its back with a dominant performance to get a W, no. We are rebuilding with young guys time to ship both out. Sign John Taveras next year only 27, true superstar. You saw what he did against us last weeknight OT, when have you seen anything like that from our top guys?
- Williamc5468

That would be my pick. I haven't looked at RNH in a long while so I don't have an opinion on him right now.
- Scoob

apparently he's really played well this year....but with McJesus and Draisatl he will never be more then a third line center.

Edit: hell our third line center is our best player...

At the start of the season, I felt that if all key players stayed healthy, Giroux was able to bounce back and the rest of the vets did what they usually do and the goaltending was at least marginally better than last year, that they would finish with 92-95 points and be a bubble team.

So, they already lost AMac for a month, Gudas for 10 games due to abject stupidity, Patrick for a few weeks, and Simmonds seems to be playing injured. So much for staying healthy. Add to that some other vets that are underperforming and Ghost regressing quickly after a fast start and this is what you are going to get. Honestly, if it wasn't for Provorov and Couturier, this team would be right down there with Buffalo and Arizona.

They had no wiggle room for injuries or any other miscues. At this point, I expect them to move some vets and finish with 82-87 points. They will be looking at a top 10 pick and possibly top 5 or even 3 with a little luck.

I can live with this. But next year is when I have to see some serious strides being made towards contention. This is the last year I'm willing to be patient.
- BiggE

Best thing I have read on the internet today. 100% agree

That would be my pick. I haven't looked at RNH in a long while so I don't have an opinion on him right now.
- Scoob

He wouldn't be a terrible pick up because next year you lose Filppula and his 5 million. RNH is at 6 million for 4 more years i believe. I also think he plays PK. Next year you go down the middle with Couturier/Patrick/Nugent-Hopkins.

Would be a terrible play to make

In a way it's interesting because the Oilers need defenders. Just not sure who you would move.

Probably unpopular but would you see if Gostisbehere for RNH get's it done?
- J35Bacher

No. If I am giving up Ghost I want something better than RNH. He is a bust. Id prefer a winger tbh. I would really like to bring JVR back as a FA next season

Sam Morin ?
- landros 2

Provy in 2019.

Flyers and Oilers Discuss RNH

http://www.hockeybuzz.com...hart-TonightBuzz3/1/89244
- Scoob

No thanks, he is a soft injury prone peripheral player. You think he would survive a month in Philly? If he isn’t pulling magic out of his bum ala Briere he will be the whipping boy by game 3! The opposite of what this team needs in my opinion. They should be looking to just play young players and trade vets for futures.

No thanks, he is a soft injury prone peripheral player. You think he would survive a month in Philly? If he isn’t pulling magic out of his bum ala Briere he will be the whipping boy by game 3! The opposite of what this team needs in my opinion. They should be looking to just play young players and trade vets for futures.
- coffee junkie

#trusttheprocess

Fool's gold
- Scoob

You, mean kind of like the American dollar?

No. If I am giving up Ghost I want something better than RNH. He is a bust. Id prefer a winger tbh. I would really like to bring JVR back as a FA next season
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

I may be more interested in Puj than RNH

How do you know he is part of your future?

Why can't Martel replace Weal. Don't I also have Lindblom in the waiting. how long until Allison, Bunnamann, ratcliff, Rubstov or any other promising player is hear.
- J35Bacher

I don't know in the long run but right now he is a young player and a rookie. Don't trade that for a minor at best upgrade for a player who is older and is going to be a UFA.

I believe he thinks they are playing better than their record indicated even stating that if they were .500 or close to it over that stretch it would make more sense. That statement told me what I needed to know about what he was really saying.

Hexy thinks they have been average and that a few breakdowns here and there are why they are winless in 9. It is what it is.

IMO he was trying to send a message to the team more so than the fans or the media.

The message was, IMO, we have been in all of these games, we have had leads and multiple goal leads in many of them. We need to clean up the undisciplined play, learn to play with a lead at the NHL level, and not get too down on ourselves personally or as a team.

Im sure the young kids appreciate hearing that.
- MBFlyerfan

Blasphemous. C'mon, rant and rave!