On the note of "built for the playoffs", I think the sentiment is still fine and has shown to have some element of truth. You need the guys that'll go that extra mile and throw themselves into the gates of hell for the sake of victory. However, I think this thought process is weak in cases like ours where you can be "built for the playoffs" all you want, but if you're not making the playoffs then it means absolutely nothing. High-potency offense and solid possession often drive victory in the regular season while repeatable, low-event hockey and scoring depth wins championships. This is why I value guys like Larsson, Hjalmarsson and Lindholm (Vlasic pre-offensive outburst) more than your average fan and subsequently why I wasn't as furious about the Hall trade when it happened.

As with most things, balance is ignored in favour of one extreme because the extremes are easier positions to hold and defend.
- MaximumBone

You could use the Leafs as a good example of this....while I’m certain they will snap out of thier current slump there is something to be said about having a Larsson type or a Bennett from the Flames....the type of players that aren’t deemed to be “sexy” but add some sandpaper along with some skill

You could use the Leafs as a good example of this....while I’m certain they will snap out of thier current slump there is something to be said about having a Larsson type or a Bennett from the Flames....the type of players that aren’t deemed to be “sexy” but add some sandpaper along with some skill
- RatedR80

I wanna draw a distinction here as I'm not suggesting Larsson is this type of person. He seems a tad too relaxed for me to be confident he is.

I think those with this fire that drives them to win at any cost exist across the spectrum of skill. Marner and Hall are prime examples of elite skill that'll throw themselves to the wolves without a moment of pause if it means winning. There's no quantifying this reckless abandon so I'm not gonna sit here and say I know who they all are, but I think they are the straws that stir the drink, so to speak. A guy like Kassian is precisely that- an upper echelon energy that a player exudes that pushes his teammates to be their best. That's what I mean.

Further, just because someone produces and is effective in the playoffs doesn't mean they are this type (see: Draisaitl and maybe Larsson).

Lol someone has a hard on for the Flames. You act like they have won the cup already. That team will be a no show come playoff time. They will be the western Leafs having great seasons but get bounced round 1 every year because they are small and soft and not built for playoffs. Imagine little Thachuk trying to turtle away from Kassian, Luc, Nurse, JJ for 7 games. They can score goals but the 3rd periods for the Flames this year have been ridiculous and its not something they are going to repeat season after season. How many games have they been outplayed in the first two periods only to go off in the third period and win? Perfect example is the first game against the Oil. I hope we get them in round 1 if we can sneak in.
- Leichs

Hey a$$ wipe you gotta make the playoff first before we worry about a bunch on knuckle draggers!

Lol someone has a hard on for the Flames. You act like they have won the cup already. That team will be a no show come playoff time. They will be the western Leafs having great seasons but get bounced round 1 every year because they are small and soft and not built for playoffs. Imagine little Thachuk trying to turtle away from Kassian, Luc, Nurse, JJ for 7 games. They can score goals but the 3rd periods for the Flames this year have been ridiculous and its not something they are going to repeat season after season. How many games have they been outplayed in the first two periods only to go off in the third period and win? Perfect example is the first game against the Oil. I hope we get them in round 1 if we can sneak in.
- Leichs

This is exactly the reason the Oilers are in the mess they are right now, failing to understand what "grit" means in today's game. Sure Lucic and Kassian can pound anyone but that does very little when it comes to wins. I can 100% gaurantee McDavid would rather have Tkachuk on his line than either of those guys because he wants to win.

It must suck to think that the Oilers could have had Tkachuk over Puljujarvi. Not that any team would have made that pick, its just the Oilers with Tkachuk would be in a much better place right now. Probably a force in the west...

You could use the Leafs as a good example of this....while I’m certain they will snap out of thier current slump there is something to be said about having a Larsson type or a Bennett from the Flames....the type of players that aren’t deemed to be “sexy” but add some sandpaper along with some skill
- RatedR80

Totally agree on this. Bennett or Larsson in the top 9/top4 would be a huge addition to the Leafs.

Oh (frank) I forgot last time we played the Oil we had no Gio or Backs....

Oh (frank) I forgot last time we played the Oil we had no Gio or Backs....
- Flamin_Irishmin

And they got glughead!

7-2 Flames because 7 seems to be a popular number of goals for the Flames to score this year. And because they're a better-constructed team.

7-2 Flames because 7 seems to be a popular number of goals for the Flames to score this year. And because they're a better-constructed team.
- MaximumBone

Are you trying the reverse karma sh!t! The Oil have played the Flames as tough as any team in the league. I hope you’re right though. Let’s bury you b!tches!

And they got glughead!
- K-man25

Glughead is and will be a good coach in this league.

Glughead is and will be a good coach in this league.
- Clyde334

Did I just hear Hitch absolutely gush over Johnny, then say he thinks Jesse’s indentity is a third or fourth line grinder energy guy, and then right after gush over Chucky in his presser?!?

Maybe I’ve been to hard on Hitch..

7-2 Flames because 7 seems to be a popular number of goals for the Flames to score this year. And because they're a better-constructed team.
- MaximumBone

I already broke the karma machine earlier in the thread.
🤞😁🖕

You could use the Leafs as a good example of this....while I’m certain they will snap out of thier current slump there is something to be said about having a Larsson type or a Bennett from the Flames....the type of players that aren’t deemed to be “sexy” but add some sandpaper along with some skill
- RatedR80

Now your just talking about your wife..

- K-man25

🖕🏿🖕🏼🖕🏽🖕🏾

I wanna draw a distinction here as I'm not suggesting Larsson is this type of person. He seems a tad too relaxed for me to be confident he is.

I think those with this fire that drives them to win at any cost exist across the spectrum of skill. Marner and Hall are prime examples of elite skill that'll throw themselves to the wolves without a moment of pause if it means winning. There's no quantifying this reckless abandon so I'm not gonna sit here and say I know who they all are, but I think they are the straws that stir the drink, so to speak. A guy like Kassian is precisely that- an upper echelon energy that a player exudes that pushes his teammates to be their best. That's what I mean.

Further, just because someone produces and is effective in the playoffs doesn't mean they are this type (see: Draisaitl and maybe Larsson).
- MaximumBone

There aren’t enough top shelf elite players that possess that quality tho which is why most teams need to have a balance of the two.....I guess my point with Larsson is Rielly will bring the offence for sure but will he do the other stuff? This is what I mean by a Larsson type.....I need to rewatch the series with the Ducks because I remember Drai showing he can be that guy but I need to see it again before I can put forth a convincing argument.....I certainly can’t argue Kassian he was a difference maker in that Sharks series

Did I just hear Hitch absolutely gush over Johnny, then say he thinks Jesse’s indentity is a third or fourth line grinder energy guy, and then right after gush over Chucky in his presser?!?

Maybe I’ve been to hard on Hitch..

- Flamin_Irishmin

I’m going to watch this before I go any further.....tho calm down he compliments every team

You flirt with Whip and Irish and leave me all alone in the corner.
- DuranDuran

I still love ya brotha!

They’re just 2 slow to recognize your brilliance.


And there’s only 2 of them right now. Only Max and R80 have the balls to stick around. Piggy squealed all the way home, and Reveen is still trying to think of something witty to say.

There aren’t enough top shelf elite players that possess that quality tho which is why most teams need to have a balance of the two.....I guess my point with Larsson is Rielly will bring the offence for sure but will he do the other stuff? This is what I mean by a Larsson type.....I need to rewatch the series with the Ducks because I remember Drai showing he can be that guy but I need to see it again before I can put forth a convincing argument.....I certainly can’t argue Kassian he was a difference maker in that Sharks series
- RatedR80

Yeah, that's what I mean. You need to have a balance of players who drive the emotion and passion of your team (Kassian and maybe Draisaitl), players that remain calm or achieve success in positions of high-stress (where I think I place Larsson and maybe Draisaitl) that outnumbers/outproduces the players that don't elevate themselves in any way or cave in when faced with the pressure of the playoffs.

What I'm curious about- and hence my reason for bringing it up- is trying to determine who and where these players are and what personality traits they have in common or what their mental make-up is.

Yeah, that's what I mean. You need to have a balance of players who drive the emotion and passion of your team (Kassian and maybe Draisaitl), players that remain calm or achieve success in positions of high-stress (where I think I place Larsson and maybe Draisaitl) that outnumbers/outproduces the players that don't elevate themselves in any way or cave in when faced with the pressure of the playoffs.

What I'm curious about- and hence my reason for bringing it up- is trying to determine who and where these players are and what personality traits they have in common or what their mental make-up is.
- MaximumBone

Your last bit sounds like it could be some kind of psychological study that could be had and would be an interesting one....I too wonder at times why doesn’t Kassian play that way more often....a game like tonight could be an example of such....huge game for the Oilers.....playoff implications and just the fact it’s the BOA and also at home.....no pressure there....who steps up and does whatever it takes to win and who just vanishes

2nd time in a row the Oilers are rested and we’re on the second half of a back to back when playing them. That’s not an excuse at all, we will still kick some ass, it’s just annoying. 🤨

And they got glughead!
- K-man25

He sports a child molester chin goatee now too

2nd time in a row the Oilers are rested and we’re on the second half of a back to back when playing them. That’s not an excuse at all, we will still kick some ass, it’s just annoying. 🤨
- Flamin_Irishmin

Cry me a river....we got a game tomorrow night but I’m not gonna be sitting there going “whaaaaa the mean NHL made us play the night before whaaaaaaa”

Yeah, that's what I mean. You need to have a balance of players who drive the emotion and passion of your team (Kassian and maybe Draisaitl), players that remain calm or achieve success in positions of high-stress (where I think I place Larsson and maybe Draisaitl) that outnumbers/outproduces the players that don't elevate themselves in any way or cave in when faced with the pressure of the playoffs.

What I'm curious about- and hence my reason for bringing it up- is trying to determine who and where these players are and what personality traits they have in common or what their mental make-up is.
- MaximumBone

Methinks your captain looking like a hobo is probably not helping...

Methinks your captain looking like a hobo is probably not helping...
- Flamin_Irishmin

He will cut his hair just as soon as Bennett shaves his “uncle dirty touch” stache