Feeling a little more optimistic after listening to Holland's presser.

Bobby Nicks is an idiot and I can't stand listening to him speak or looking at his stupid face any more.

From the outside looking in, it's clear nothing ever changes in Edmonton because Bob Nicholson never changes in Edmonton.

Toronto's decade of futility didn't show a speck of alteration until the day Shanahan started.

No matter who got hired the MSM and fans would poop all over it... there is no winning in this hire. Same with the head coach nobody will be happy when that position gets filled.

The only way the Oilers get out of this mess is by winning.

But what would this be reflective of then?

Would it be purely on how things need to change behind the scenes. Most likely.

or

Just bad selection? Kind of likely.
- EdmHockeyMan

When you go through that many GMs when does it stop being the GMs fault and become the fault of the people above? It’s like coaches right? How many bad ones in a row before you stop blaming the coaches and blame the guys doing the hiring instead......so based on history no matter who they bring in it’s just automatic for me to wait and see instead....had Verbeek been hired I would have been happy but then take on a wait and see attitude based on this teams history

From the outside looking in, it's clear nothing ever changes in Edmonton because Bob Nicholson never changes in Edmonton.

Toronto's decade of futility didn't show a speck of alteration until the day Shanahan started.
- joel878

Bob is part of the problem but isn’t the problem....we were laughing stocks before he joined the Oilers

No matter who got hired the MSM and fans would poop all over it... there is no winning in this hire. Same with the head coach nobody will be happy when that position gets filled.

The only way the Oilers get out of this mess is by winning.
- Reveen.

Exactly....this fan base is so sick of losing that it doesn’t seem like anyone is going to get the benefit of doubt....shoot first and ask questions later.....in their defence tho look at the last 13 years

When you go through that many GMs when does it stop being the GMs fault and become the fault of the people above? It’s like coaches right? How many bad ones in a row before you stop blaming the coaches and blame the guys doing the hiring instead......so based on history no matter who they bring in it’s just automatic for me to wait and see instead....had Verbeek been hired I would have been happy but then take on a wait and see attitude based on this teams history
- RatedR80

Agreed.

One thing I'm just surprised by is how Bob isn't gone. But I guess it just reflects how things are probably not gonna change.

Nonetheless, I'm absolutely certain that nothing will change until things are completely revamped behind the scenes. However, to say that our troubles isn't also due to the inabilities and improper management by previous GM's is folly too.

I'm also wondering just how much "autonomy" Holland does have. Cause to me, it seems like Bob and Katz threw that word around in the press conference like it meant nothing to them. Just something to appease fans.

Agreed.

One thing I'm just surprised by is how Bob isn't gone. But I guess it just reflects how things are probably not gonna change.

Nonetheless, I'm absolutely certain that nothing will change until things are completely revamped behind the scenes. However, to say that our troubles isn't also due to the inabilities and improper management by previous GM's is folly too.

I'm also wondering just how much "autonomy" Holland does have. Cause to me, it seems like Bob and Katz threw that word around in the press conference like it meant nothing to them. Just something to appease fans.
- EdmHockeyMan

I find press conferences to be pointless really.....just a bunch of yapping and fan service to a degree.....so they can say whatever but the next few months will be the real proof......”this team will compete for a playoff spot in 19/20”.....this is where Holland put a bunch of pressure on himself to deliver and he will have to have a pretty good summer to make it happen

What exactly has yzerman accomplished with tampa so far?? Just putting things in perspective for you. Last I saw he built a team too soft for the playoffs.
- oil90

Kept them actually competitive.

Kept them actually competitive.
- RafiDRW

Yzerman did a good job there....I don’t know if they will win cups but they will have plenty of chances for a while to try

Yzerman did a good job there....I don’t know if they will win cups but they will have plenty of chances for a while to try
- RatedR80

That’s all I’m looking for is a team built to contend. For now.

That’s all I’m looking for is a team built to contend. For now.
- RafiDRW

This playoffs have proven that you just need to get in....once you do anything can happen

Exactly....this fan base is so sick of losing that it doesn’t seem like anyone is going to get the benefit of doubt....shoot first and ask questions later.....in their defence tho look at the last 13 years
- RatedR80

Im in the same boat... I am almost done with this team.

Im in the same boat... I am almost done with this team.
- Reveen.

As I have said before I’ll give it this season regardless of who is running it....if it’s another embarrassing poop show then my new team will be doing their expansion draft

Im in the same boat... I am almost done with this team.
- Reveen.

Yet it’s so (frank)ing hard to wash ones hands of them and walk away. And by Larsson’s cock have I tried.

Yet it’s so (frank)ing hard to wash ones hands of them and walk away. And by Larsson’s cock have I tried.
- Wildschwein

I tried when they traded Ryan Smyth

As I have said before I’ll give it this season regardless of who is running it....if it’s another embarrassing poop show then my new team will be doing their expansion draft
- RatedR80

I think following a new team right from the start wouldn't be too bad

Yet it’s so (frank)ing hard to wash ones hands of them and walk away. And by Larsson’s cock have I tried.
- Wildschwein

You see guys like McDavid, Drai, RNH, Nurse, Klefbom and so on and think this team shouldn’t be a bad team....then you see the rest of the roster and shake your head

I think following a new team right from the start wouldn't be too bad
- Reveen.

Seattle won’t have the same success as Vegas but that doesn’t really matter....I think it would be fun to cheer for an expansion team

“Many teams have two goalies now. Ideally I'd like a goalie who could play 30-35 games and they challenge and push each other. Ideally I'd like one who has pro experience. I will talk to teams, but right now we likely will find one in free agency." Holland on the radio

You see guys like McDavid, Drai, RNH, Nurse, Klefbom and so on and think this team shouldn’t be a bad team....then you see the rest of the roster and shake your head
- RatedR80

This is why I have a small glimmer of hope that this can be turned around quickly.

"On the short term I want to be competitive. When you have Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, you should be competing for a playoff spot. Then longer view I want us to be better than that and be a team that can compete for a division title regularly." Holland On the radio

“Many teams have two goalies now. Ideally I'd like a goalie who could play 30-35 games and they challenge and push each other. Ideally I'd like one who has pro experience. I will talk to teams, but right now we likely will find one in free agency." Holland on the radio
- RatedR80

Well hello Petr Mrazek.

Well hello Petr Mrazek.
- Wildschwein

Hopefully they fire Schwartz....he breaks goalies

In no way is Holland nearly as bad as PC. I actually have a bit of optimism, but the truth will come in the next couple of months what kind of GM he really is.