Oh if it was 85 then I was 5 see not that much older then you are
- RatedR80

Just going to go on record and say I am pretty sure I don't remember the Oil starting with 5 in a row that year....not because I am old, but because they were winning cups back then so starts to the season meant less.

The Oilers have opened a can of whoopass on the league.

I’m becoming ever more cautiously optimistic.
- Wildschwein

I'm just enjoying how the team is playing. For the first time in the decade I've been watching, we've consistently been making simple, short support passes like every successful team in the league. Even 2016-17 didn't have much of this. There's pace, there's support pass breakouts and there's a concerted effort by the whole team to protect the slot first and foremost but especially the two main culprits on D (Klefbom and Nurse).

5-0

Nbd

Certainly is a great start; gives the team some confidence and belief in themselves and the coach. I've mentioned it before but kinda reminds me of the Pesky Sens storyline. If they can keep up even a .500 record, they'll have quite a launching pad to build off of heading into an offseason with a lot of potential to upgrade.
- MaximumBone

We are bound to hit a losing streak at some point because it happens with every team in the league....I’m curious to see how this years group handles it when it does happen

I'm just enjoying how the team is playing. For the first time in the decade I've been watching, we've consistently been making simple, short support passes like every successful team in the league. Even 2016-17 didn't have much of this. There's pace, there's support pass breakouts and there's a concerted effort by the whole team to protect the slot first and foremost but especially the two main culprits on D (Klefbom and Nurse).
- MaximumBone

Watched the 3rd

Bear is good

Just going to go on record and say I am pretty sure I don't remember the Oil starting with 5 in a row that year....not because I am old, but because they were winning cups back then so starts to the season meant less.
- ruttager17

It’s true....you already knew they were going to make the playoffs so it didn’t really matter

5-0

Nbd
- HB77

Let's say hypothetically they go .500 through the rest of the season (a reasonable expectation in my opinion), they'd be at 87 points which MIGHT be enough to push them into a wildcard spot. Anything above that would be gravy.

5-0

Nbd
- HB77

It’s a nice change of pace....not sure what to think but I’ll enjoy it

Watched the 3rd

Bear is good
- HB77

He was good the first two periods and really secured it in the 3rd. Persson was great early and good the rest of the way. Incredible to have two relative unknowns step into these spots and succeed early. I doubt it lasts, but it's a nice change of pace.

We are bound to hit a losing streak at some point because it happens with every team in the league....I’m curious to see how this years group handles it when it does happen
- RatedR80

Really curious to see that, as well. How much can difference can a coach and some different faces through the depth players make in how players react to adverse conditions?

Really curious to see that, as well. How much can difference can a coach and some different faces through the depth players make in how players react to adverse conditions?
- MaximumBone

A part of me would like to believe that they can fight through it but I can also see them suffering PTSD and reverting back to the old habits that made them one of the worst teams over the years

A part of me would like to believe that they can fight through it but I can also see them suffering PTSD and reverting back to the old habits that made them one of the worst teams over the years
- RatedR80

Pull a Russell+ for Perreault trade, Puljujarvi for Gauthier, Larsson returns and Lagesson comes up:

Drai- McDavid- Kassian
Jurco/Benson- RNH- Neal
Nygard- Perreault- Gauthier
JJ- Sheahan- Arch/Russ/Chia

Nurse- Bear
Klefbom- Persson
Willy- Larsson

Starts to look a WHOOOOLE lot nicer

That's a nice image there

Pull a Russell+ for Perreault trade, Puljujarvi for Gauthier, Larsson returns and Lagesson comes up:

Drai- McDavid- Kassian
Jurco/Benson- RNH- Neal
Nygard- Perreault- Gauthier
JJ- Sheahan- Arch/Russ/Chia

Nurse- Bear
Klefbom- Persson
Willy- Larsson

Starts to look a WHOOOOLE lot nicer
- MaximumBone

(frank) I should be ashamed.....earlier I’m singing Lagessons praises then completely forget about him when talking about Manson coached up and coming blueliners .....i will have a parade if the Oilers can get rid of K.Russells contract

Pull a Russell+ for Perreault trade, Puljujarvi for Gauthier, Larsson returns and Lagesson comes up:

Drai- McDavid- Kassian
Jurco/Benson- RNH- Neal
Nygard- Perreault- Gauthier
JJ- Sheahan- Arch/Russ/Chia

Nurse- Bear
Klefbom- Persson
Willy- Larsson

Starts to look a WHOOOOLE lot nicer
- MaximumBone

Perrault? Woulda thought you’d be sniffing after Copp.

That's a nice image there
- MaximumBone

That’s hot.

That's a nice image there
- MaximumBone

And it was an afternoon game.....

Perrault? Woulda thought you’d be sniffing after Copp.
- Wildschwein

I absolutely would love Copp, but the point of going after Perreault is Russell's cap hit is mitigated. Further, Perreault brings more offense and he seems like a good fit for Tippett. Contributes well to flow of play and transition hockey if I recall correctly.

And it was an afternoon game.....
- RatedR80

That's the other thing so far. All those trap games (opponent on BTB, playing their backup, haven't won a game) and afternoon games haven't reared their ugly head yet.

That's the other thing so far. All those trap games (opponent on BTB, playing their backup, haven't won a game) and afternoon games haven't reared their ugly head yet.
- MaximumBone

Which makes the next game one of those as well since the Hawks haven’t won a game yet either....the schedule has certainly given the Oilers of old every opportunity to make an appearance

Which makes the next game one of those as well since the Hawks haven’t won a game yet either....the schedule has certainly given the Oilers of old every opportunity to make an appearance
- RatedR80

Assuming they lose to the Jets, yes. That one should be fun even if I've gotta wake up at 3:30 to catch it!

Assuming they lose to the Jets, yes. That one should be fun even if I've gotta wake up at 3:30 to catch it!
- MaximumBone

Certainly can’t question your dedication sir.....the game started at 11am my time today and couldn’t be bothered to get up till 11:30 but sleep in days are very rare these days

Certainly can’t question your dedication sir.....the game started at 11am my time today and couldn’t be bothered to get up till 11:30 but sleep in days are very rare these days
- RatedR80

Matinees are the only ones I can watch at normal hours of a day

Pull a Russell+ for Perreault trade, Puljujarvi for Gauthier, Larsson returns and Lagesson comes up:

Drai- McDavid- Kassian
Jurco/Benson- RNH- Neal
Nygard- Perreault- Gauthier
JJ- Sheahan- Arch/Russ/Chia

Nurse- Bear
Klefbom- Persson
Willy- Larsson

Starts to look a WHOOOOLE lot nicer
- MaximumBone

Getting Perreault would be huge. Especially for Russell. He just needs to be gone already. We have younger cheaper options for the 3rd pairing.