That he likes to rub pepperoni on his nipples ?
- Reveen.

Oh come on! Who doesn't?

Yes and completely close off access to around 25% of potential NHLers...

Needless to say I find your "solution" to be wholly ridiculous if it's from anything but the abject lack of belief in our team's management. What you ought to hope for is that the organization starts putting forth the goddam effort to improve upon their evident deficiencies in handling, developing and communicating with European players. But these are the Oilers, so we all know how that'll go.
- MaximumBone

Well I'd certainly prefer if they'd stay clear of Russian players.

Oh come on! Who doesn't?
- laughs2907

It makes for better taste.

It makes for better taste.
- RafiDRW

Marchand usually carries a few pepperonis with him

Marchand usually carries a few pepperonis with him
- laughs2907

I thought he carried jerky...

There's apparently some talk around Carolina's owner pressuring his team at looking into trading the 2nd pick. If it meant getting Svechnikov, I definitely look into to that. Something built around Puljujarvi and #10 for #2, Foegele and another pick. Maybe find a way for them to add TVR to the deal.

I thought he carried jerky...
- Iggysbff

Only his boyfriends.

Free agent that I hear won’t be re-signed. Need the cap space for Tavares.
- shack67

Well if JVR, Komodo and Bozak all leave July 1 you will certainly need something. No way and exodus of offence and character of that magnitude can be easily replaced by players currently on the depth chart.

There's apparently some talk around Carolina's owner pressuring his team at looking into trading the 2nd pick. If it meant getting Svechnikov, I definitely look into to that. Something built around Puljujarvi and #10 for #2, Foegele and another pick. Maybe find a way for them to add TVR to the deal.
- MaximumBone

Anybody looking to trade a second overall pick is looking to add an impact player. My guess, if the rumours are true, is that they’re looking at a player like Tyler Seguin or Vlad Tarasenko. Probably won’t get either straight up but my guess is that’s what they would ask for, not to step back 8 spots and add a bubble player. Come on ,Bubba, you’re smarter than this ,no ?

Anybody looking to trade a second overall pick is looking to add an impact player. My guess, if the rumours are true, is that they’re looking at a player like Tyler Seguin or Vlad Tarasenko. Probably won’t get either straight up but my guess is that’s what they would ask for, not to step back 8 spots and add a bubble player. Come on ,Bubba, you’re smarter than this ,no ?
- Larsson_fan

I can see that side but I also know from our years in the #1 slot that no one gives up proven elite players for picks- no matter how high.

You're likely right that they'd want more or at least more proven assets but it depends how they view Puljujarvi. He's just two years removed from being a #4 selection, has history playing with Aho and has developed solidly so far. On top of that, the #10 would enable them to grab a C like Veleno.

However, as with all my proposals, they're intended to be a starting point to build off of. For example, Nuge is definitely not off the table in discussions to move up that far.

I can see that side but I also know from our years in the #1 slot that no one gives up proven elite players for picks- no matter how high.

You're likely right that they'd want more or at least more proven assets but it depends how they view Puljujarvi. He's just two years removed from being a #4 selection, has history playing with Aho and has developed solidly so far. On top of that, the #10 would enable them to grab a C like Veleno.

However, as with all my proposals, they're intended to be a starting point to build off of. For example, Nuge is definitely not off the table in discussions to move up that far.
- MaximumBone

Sadly, we need to protect too many Lucic’s and Sekeras for expansion so I can see the value in trading Nuge for the #2. Make no mistake tho, that trade is as big a step back as the Hall and Eberle trades, but with at least some upside.

Does anyone really see this team bouncing back to the playoffs this year?

Besides Oildumb, I mean.

Yes and completely close off access to around 25% of potential NHLers...

Needless to say I find your "solution" to be wholly ridiculous if it's from anything but the abject lack of belief in our team's management. What you ought to hope for is that the organization starts putting forth the goddam effort to improve upon their evident deficiencies in handling, developing and communicating with European players. But these are the Oilers, so we all know how that'll go.
- MaximumBone

I find it so strange that the foundation Glen Sather spent 20 years laying down has completely crumbled away into dust. These used to be our strengths as an organization.

Anybody looking to trade a second overall pick is looking to add an impact player. My guess, if the rumours are true, is that they’re looking at a player like Tyler Seguin or Vlad Tarasenko. Probably won’t get either straight up but my guess is that’s what they would ask for, not to step back 8 spots and add a bubble player. Come on ,Bubba, you’re smarter than this ,no ?
- Larsson_fan

Yeah, no way Puljujarvi and #10 gets the 2nd... Our local beer league wouldn't even trade for Puljujarvi.

I find it so strange that the foundation Glen Sather spent 20 years laying down has completely crumbled away into dust. These used to be our strengths as an organization.
- Larsson_fan

I wasn't around for those times so I'll take your word for it. They're a disaster at it now.

Yeah, no way Puljujarvi and #10 gets the 2nd... Our local beer league wouldn't even trade for Puljujarvi.
- laughs2907

I’m (frank)ing sitting here, looking at our poop team...what a current mess. Pretty much all hope lies on every player having a breakout or career year. What a mess.

I wasn't around for those times so I'll take your word for it. They're a disaster at it now.
- MaximumBone

Ciger, Kurri, Rusty, Klima, Tik....we had more Euros come from nowhere to be decent players than anyone.


ANd yes I know you have little regard for the legend that Is Slats.

Sadly, we need to protect too many Lucic’s and Sekeras for expansion so I can see the value in trading Nuge for the #2. Make no mistake tho, that trade is as big a step back as the Hall and Eberle trades, but with at least some upside.

Does anyone really see this team bouncing back to the playoffs this year?

Besides Oildumb, I mean.
- Larsson_fan

I don't know that I agree. A trade where Chiarelli trades Nuge? Sure, but with a better GM you can easily make it a near-lateral move now with huge upside beyond. Structure the deal around Nuge and Puljujarvi and grab the #2, Foegele and Williams and we'd have the immediate return of filling a top-6 RW position (Williams) and filling a middle-6 LW spot (Foegele) and grabbing a guy who's scoring goals at a rate comparable to McDavid. We'd still need to find a winger for Draisaitl in the short term, but it wouldn't be any harder than it is now.

As for the playoffs, I discussed that earlier this thread with HB. I'm very much of the belief that playoffs are quite easily within reach for this team. My thoughts are as follows:


"I think incremental improvement in most capacities will be enough to get the team back to competing.

I've laid it out before but if you make the PP and PK from last year league average, you eliminate ~26 goals (+14 on the PP; -12 on the PK) of our negative differential- even if we still see the fewest PP opportunities in the league. Add the boost of confidence that Talbot and our other goalies might get thanks to NOT getting scored on every other PK at home and I estimate you could likely subtract half of those 12 goals on the first shot. That pretty much takes care of our minus goal differential and gets us back in the fight for a playoff spot. I think these are all pretty reasonable presumptions on my part.

From there, it's a matter of adding a skill winger (the Nyquist or Kreider), the further development of Puljujarvi (or Yamamoto) and seeing even a slight resurgence from Lucic to hopefully drive the team's 5-on-5 offense back to top-5 in the league (only a 13 goal jump up from 11th this year). Without even adjusting for the poor execution of the defensive systems at 5-on-5 from Oct to Jan or accounting for a bounce back for two of our better Dmen (Sekera and Klef), the team is within reach of a playoff spot by my estimation.

I'm sure a number of other things can and will go wrong, but I think it's important to recognize just how much special teams sunk this season. It'll take some work but it's not as massive of a chasm as it feels like right now."

I don't know that I agree. A trade where Chiarelli trades Nuge? Sure, but with a better GM you can easily make it a lateral move now with huge upside beyond. Structure the deal around Nuge and Puljujarvi and grab the #2, Foegele and Williams and we'd have the immediate return of filling a top-6 RW position (Williams) and filling a middle-6 LW spot (Foegele) and grabbing a guy who's scoring goals at a rate comparable to McDavid. We'd still need to find a winger for Draisaitl in the short term, but it wouldn't be any harder than it is now.

As for the playoffs, I discussed that earlier this thread with HB. I'm very much of the belief that playoffs are quite easily within reach for this team. My thoughts are as follows:


"I think incremental improvement in most capacities will be enough to get the team back to competing.

I've laid it out before but if you make the PP and PK from last year league average, you eliminate ~26 goals (+14 on the PP; -12 on the PK) of our negative differential- even if we still see the fewest PP opportunities in the league. Add the boost of confidence that Talbot and our other goalies might get thanks to NOT getting scored on every other PK at home and I estimate you could likely subtract half of those 12 goals on the first shot. That pretty much takes care of our minus goal differential and gets us back in the fight for a playoff spot. I think these are all pretty reasonable presumptions on my part.

From there, it's a matter of adding a skill winger (the Nyquist or Kreider), the further development of Puljujarvi (or Yamamoto) and seeing even a slight resurgence from Lucic to hopefully drive the team's 5-on-5 offense back to top-5 in the league (only a 13 goal jump up from 11th this year). Without even adjusting for the poor execution of the defensive systems at 5-on-5 from Oct to Jan or accounting for a bounce back for two of our better Dmen (Sekera and Klef), the team is within reach of a playoff spot by my estimation.

I'm sure a number of other things can and will go wrong, but I think it's important to recognize just how much special teams sunk this season. It'll take some work but it's not as massive of a chasm as it feels like right now."
- MaximumBone

Not out of reach, but we need huge bounce back years from Klefbom, Sekeras and Lucic, AND consistent production from either Yamo or JP on LD’s wing to make it happen. That and Talbot has to be good.

Marchand usually carries a few pepperonis with him
- laughs2907

Schwein doesn’t count. He’s just Marchands female dog.

Not out of reach, but we need huge bounce back years from Klefbom, Sekeras and Lucic, AND consistent production from either Yamo or JP on LD’s wing to make it happen. That and Talbot has to be good.
- Larsson_fan

If we add nothing significant this offseason, I see the team on the bubble but likely just missing- with the caveat that McDavid-magic could be enough to force us in. If we add a significant winger for the 2nd line and one of Klefbom or Sekera bounces back, then I think we'll be in one of the wildcard spots somewhat comfortably. Of course, it depends on what the rest of our division does but I'll just assume similar results to this year.

Not shocking... this is why I'd prefer if the Oil steered clear of Russians and to be honest most European players.
- Reveen.

No Russians period. I’m on board with this 100%

Once again the Tampon Bay lightning are making the Bruins look like a clean team.
What a bunch of dirty whiny female genitalias.
- Iggysbff

Boston has been getting (frank)ed by the refs the whole series. Marchand doesn’t deserve to be in the league after licking another player on the mouth though.

There's apparently some talk around Carolina's owner pressuring his team at looking into trading the 2nd pick. If it meant getting Svechnikov, I definitely look into to that. Something built around Puljujarvi and #10 for #2, Foegele and another pick. Maybe find a way for them to add TVR to the deal.
- MaximumBone

Sorry, new rule. No more Russians. Suck it Maxbone.

Sadly, we need to protect too many Lucic’s and Sekeras for expansion so I can see the value in trading Nuge for the #2. Make no mistake tho, that trade is as big a step back as the Hall and Eberle trades, but with at least some upside.

Does anyone really see this team bouncing back to the playoffs this year?

Besides Oildumb, I mean.
- Larsson_fan

Not with these wingers.

Sorry, new rule. No more Russians. Suck it Maxbone.
- Ihatebrianburke

Datsyuk, Marchenko, younger Svechnikov, and rights to Fedorovs number for Nuge.