Maybe Irwin helped with that puck to the jaw, knocked something back into place. But really ever since Donnie took over Okposo has looked different.
- Buff36

He was playing well on our defensive line even before that
But yeah, there’s been an uptick in his game offensively for sure

Pyssboi to the Oil for a cap dump and a 2023 3rd
- Michael Pachla

I don't even think that's useful to us.

Pyssboi to the Oil for a cap dump and a 2023 3rd
- Michael Pachla

Drury did inherit a good system but it lacked grit, he went out got it. They went from talented but soft middle of the road team to 1st this season. Gallant and co. have proven success…so far.

I’m not or haven’t argued that having great goaltending and a great defenseman do not help, I’m actually arguing for the Oilers to mimic it.

The Oilers should try to obtain:

Good goalie: Ullmark, Shesterkens don’t grow on trees but this is a realistic player that could dramatically improve the team.

They would have to move celery around which is how the Sabres could take advantage of the situation.

Better D players: Montreal/Kraken have a few, RNH or Yamamoto should be on the trade block

More defined role players, the difference between the 1st and 4th lines are too dramatic.

The GM should identify what the team needs to maximize the utility of his players, I believe Drury did a great job in that aspect. The Oilers need to improve, Holland has moved too incrementally, should be more aggressive.
- washedup20

Dude,
The Oilers have BEEN TRYING to fix their defense & goaltending for years

It’s not like they’re ignoring the issue
They keep bringing in players- particularly in net- that just aren’t working out (Koskinen, M.Smith & Talbot)

They’ve tried various guys in supporting roles that haven’t worked: Stolarz, Brossoit, Montoya & Gustavsson

Of course, none of these guys are studs
But they haven’t been in a situation where players want to flock to play there (sounds familiar, huh?)


Of course they need to upgrade their goaltending & defense- EVERYONE KNOWS THAT
Even them

21 pulled off the ice DURING PRACTICE with a positive CCPovid test. Get ready to see the Omicron wave hit the Sabres.
- lacaprup

They should of all got vaccinated

Dude,
The Oilers have BEEN TRYING to fix their defense & goaltending for years

It’s not like they’re ignoring the issue
They keep bringing in players- particularly in net- that just aren’t working out (Koskinen, M.Smith & Talbot)

They’ve tried various guys in supporting roles that haven’t worked: Stolarz, Brossoit, Montoya & Gustavsson

Of course, none of these guys are studs
But they haven’t been in a situation where players want to flock to play there (sounds familiar, huh?)


Of course they need to upgrade their goaltending & defense- EVERYONE KNOWS THAT
Even them
- jdfitz77

They have.

Dude,
The Oilers have BEEN TRYING to fix their defense & goaltending for years

It’s not like they’re ignoring the issue
They keep bringing in players- particularly in net- that just aren’t working out (Koskinen, M.Smith & Talbot)

They’ve tried various guys in supporting roles that haven’t worked: Stolarz, Brossoit, Montoya & Gustavsson

Of course, none of these guys are studs
But they haven’t been in a situation where players want to flock to play there (sounds familiar, huh?)


Of course they need to upgrade their goaltending & defense- EVERYONE KNOWS THAT
Even them
- jdfitz77

They traded for Duncan Keith.

They are trying to fix it like Boterill tried to fix it, with cheap plugin players that are bad.

They traded for Duncan Keith.

They are trying to fix it like Boterill tried to fix it, with cheap plugin players that are bad.
- ImThatGuy

Holland needs to be more aggressive.

I don't even think that's useful to us.
- TheSabresTaco

Why?

Holland needs to be more aggressive.
- washedup20

He re-signed Nurse for $9.25m per and signed Barrie for $4.5m per. Them's some overly aggressive signings.

He re-signed Nurse for $9.25m per and signed Barrie for $4.5m per. Them's some overly aggressive signings.
- Michael Pachla

Not as aggressive as signing Skinner for a century. Holland hasn’t managed that roster well, Tippett is on the hot seat from what I’ve read.

Why?
- Michael Pachla

Because you're trading a cheap, actually useful player for an expensive, not useful player and a lottery ticket who will see the NHL, if at all, in at least 3 years, probably 4-5. Laaksonen still isn't here. Casey Fitzgerald finally showed up in D+6. Others never came. And you also want it to be a 2023 3rd? So maybe that guy steps onto the Sabres ice in 2027 as a grinder or emergency loan defenseman, basically free every year on the open market. All because you didn't want Mark Pissyboi

Trade him to the Oilers for their 1st round pick. Now that poop would be a tasty (frank)ing treat.

He re-signed Nurse for $9.25m per and signed Barrie for $4.5m per. Them's some overly aggressive signings.
- Michael Pachla

Ken Holland dispatched Ethan Bear and Caleb Jones to make sure he got Duncan Keith and Cody Ceci to add to Nurse and Barrie. He intentionally ignored his own zone because well we have McGerman to score 1000 goals.

Not as aggressive as signing Skinner for a century. Holland hasn’t managed that roster well, Tippett is on the hot seat from what I’ve read.
- washedup20

imagine that

Because you're trading a cheap, actually useful player for an expensive, not useful player and a lottery ticket who will see the NHL, if at all, in at least 3 years, probably 4-5. Laaksonen still isn't here. Casey Fitzgerald finally showed up in D+6. Others never came. And you also want it to be a 2023 3rd? So maybe that guy steps onto the Sabres ice in 2027 as a grinder or emergency loan defenseman, basically free every year on the open market. All because you didn't want Mark Pissyboi

Trade him to the Oilers for their 1st round pick. Now that poop would be a tasty (frank)ing treat.
- TheSabresTaco

Smartest most obvious move is re-signing piss boy for 1 year

Smartest most obvious move is re-signing piss boy for 1 year
- sbroads24

As much as I am his number 1 fan, what do the pairings look like next year, do you see Fitzgerald, Bryson, Samuelsson, Power coming in?

As much as I am his number 1 fan, what do the pairings look like next year, do you see Fitzgerald, Bryson, Samuelsson, Power coming in?
- washedup20

Pairings are never easy with this team. But your collection of guys is

Dahlin
Jokiharju
Samuelsson
Bryson
Power

Beyond that, you have room for two or three vets. Pysyk fits. Fitzgerald can be your first callup. Sign a D'Larry. Maybe you go after a guy like De Haan or Manson.

Next year's projection has them 30M under the cap. Could be another year where they need to scrounge around for a bad contract or two. Should add that that projection doesn't include a 2nd goalie and a potential top 4 D.

As much as I am his number 1 fan, what do the pairings look like next year, do you see Fitzgerald, Bryson, Samuelsson, Power coming in?
- washedup20

Dahlin-Joker
Power-Samuel
Bryson-Pysyk

Fitz
Laaksonen

How is Laaksonen looking down in the A? Also could flip Bryson and Power if we'd rather have Power play/learn with a Vet

Drury did inherit a good system but it lacked grit, he went out got it. They went from talented but soft middle of the road team to 1st this season. Gallant and co. have proven success…so far.

I’m not or haven’t argued that having great goaltending and a great defenseman do not help, I’m actually arguing for the Oilers to mimic it.

The Oilers should try to obtain:

Good goalie: Ullmark, Shesterkens don’t grow on trees but this is a realistic player that could dramatically improve the team.

They would have to move celery around which is how the Sabres could take advantage of the situation.

Better D players: Montreal/Kraken have a few, RNH or Yamamoto should be on the trade block

More defined role players, the difference between the 1st and 4th lines are too dramatic.

The GM should identify what the team needs to maximize the utility of his players, I believe Drury did a great job in that aspect. The Oilers need to improve, Holland has moved too incrementally, should be more aggressive.
- washedup20

Ullmark = great goaltending

The bobbleheads do not agree. ☝️

* good goalie = ullmark

Dahlin-Joker
Power-Samuel
Bryson-Pysyk

Fitz
Laaksonen

How is Laaksonen looking down in the A?
- DirtyDan

Like Bryson with worse dzone awareness

Ullmark = great goaltending

The bobbleheads do not agree. ☝️
- Boss34

Ullmark is a good goalie who would help the Oilers IMO. I never said he was great, multiple times I said good.

Pairings are never easy with this team. But your collection of guys is

Dahlin
Jokiharju
Samuelsson
Bryson
Power

Beyond that, you have room for two or three vets. Pysyk fits. Fitzgerald can be your first callup. Sign a D'Larry. Maybe you go after a guy like De Haan or Manson.
- TheSabresTaco

Resign Malcom and trade for P.k. floor met, Michkov/Bedard are that much closer. Pysyk all but guarantees you 20th place.

Next year's projection has them 30M under the cap. Could be another year where they need to scrounge around for a bad contract or two. Should add that that projection doesn't include a 2nd goalie and a potential top 4 D.
- TheSabresTaco

Any chance they add a 4/5 million $ defenseman?

Someone good, but overpaid?
Not just a cap dump

Resign Malcom and trade for P.k. floor met, Michkov/Bedard are that much closer. Pysyk all but guarantees you 20th place.
- washedup20

PK is a UFA after this season. How much are you paying him and for how long?