I've actually watched the past two Wings games (as I'll be writing for them in the near future), and it was actually enjoyable to watch. I was actually engaged in the game and not just sitting on my phone while it was on.

Yzerman will work his magic and that team will be a sustainable playoff team in the near future.
- Oilers4Life14

They are slowly getting better. They are still missing a top 6 offensive center and they need another top 4 left dman to go with Edvinsson for next season but slowly Yzerman is filling holes. Raymond, Seider and Ned have helped a lot this season. If the Wings weren't so horrible on the road they might have made the playoffs this season.

They are slowly getting better. They are still missing a top 6 offensive center and they need another top 4 left dman to go with Edvinsson for next season but slowly Yzerman is filling holes. Raymond, Seider and Ned have helped a lot this season. If the Wings weren't so horrible on the road they might have made the playoffs this season.
- dcz28

They practically stole Nedeljkovic from Carolina. A third and Bernier for a recently turn 26-year-old netminder who's on the cusp of truly becoming a #1 goalie? Absolutely robbery.

They're in a great cap situation, they have the third best prospect core according to THW, and they have the best GM in the league. Plus the team is very young and has a lot of grit.

Sounds like they understand how to rebuild, unlike Edmonton.



Plus they have Gagner, who was one of my favourite players growing up.

I have come to really like the guy over the past 2or3 seasons, but it is VERY difficult to win when your superstar does not give 100% quite a lot of the time. When I see Draisaitl try another low percentage Peewee fancy pass get intercepted...and then hang his head...and skate off...I just feel like giving up on them myself.

This display resonates with the other teammates 100% and that's the root of the Oilers problems. McDavid is not free of guilt either in this regard. His defensive game is getting much better, and he clearly cares, but he's far from Crosby, Ovechkin, O'Reilly, Bergeron, Toews, Landeskog...etc. etc. in the lead by example category. If you're going into battle and you see that your leader is "not sure", then probably you're not so sure. The rookies sure aren't.

So there is an issue with the coaches these days not able to call out the star players when they mail it in, and there is another issue with the star players mailing it in.

I see this as a major issue (have for a while) and it is absurd that this pretty serious issue is so much smaller than the goaltending issue.

Get some passion.
Get a goalie.
- JLO961

Taylor hall was doing the exact same thing if things didn’t go his way he just hung his head-skated to the bench and blame his teammates . I see Leon doing the same thing.

trade proposals for McDavid? WTF for? Why? He's the best player in the world. If you can't win with him, you aint gonna win with a basket full of players of lesser skill. What is a punch of picks going to do? Who you gonna pick with a shiny new first round pick? Another McDavid?

Fire the GM. Fire the coach. Fire the assistants. Fire the (frank)ing massage therapist.

Without the right leadership from the top down, this team is going nowhere, even if you could get 20 players and 20 picks for McDavid.
- PDO-Speedwagon

One player is not a team. Hell, two world class players don't make a team.

They may have lesser skill, but the team would be a lot more balanced.

I know it is a lateral move, but would Yawl trade Barrie for Klingberg?
Yes, Klinger is a rental, but erasing Barrie's future cap hit might help next year. And it seems yawl have a dislike for Barrie.
- HenryHockey

In a heart beat lol. Klingberg is far better.

In a heart beat lol. Klingberg is far better.
- Oilers4Life14

Thanks for that. I would suppose if Dallas thinks he is that good that they would want a pick to accompany Barrie.

Thanks for that. I would suppose if Dallas thinks he is that good that they would want a pick to accompany Barrie.
- HenryHockey

I wouldn't do that because Klingberg is so much better, but because paying Barrie 4.5m for the next two years is absolutely insane.

They're also paying Ceci 3.25 for another 3 years.

And they traded a possible 2nd a Caleb Jones for Keith's full contract (5.53m for another year)

That's the defensive "improvements" Holland made.

They practically stole Nedeljkovic from Carolina. A third and Bernier for a recently turn 26-year-old netminder who's on the cusp of truly becoming a #1 goalie? Absolutely robbery.

They're in a great cap situation, they have the third best prospect core according to THW, and they have the best GM in the league. Plus the team is very young and has a lot of grit.

Sounds like they understand how to rebuild, unlike Edmonton.



Plus they have Gagner, who was one of my favourite players growing up.
- Oilers4Life14

Yeah Ned was a head scratching move for Carolina. He's been great at keeping them in games when they should be getting blown out...even stole a couple of games.

Yzerman has done a great job of getting rid of all the bad contracts Holland left him (only DeKeyser left and his deal end this summer) and rebuilding the prospect pool. He's also not afraid to make hockey trades. Holland only made deadline deals or really minor trades. Plus Holland liked to recycle players he's had before even if they are not even close to the players they were in the past.

I do think the Wings could use a bit more toughness and physicality.

Wings are doing better than i expected so can't complain too much especially since Vrana hasn't played a single game so far this season.

Yeah Ned was a head scratching move for Carolina. He's been great at keeping them in games when they should be getting blown out...even stole a couple of games.

Yzerman has done a great job of getting rid of all the bad contracts Holland left him (only DeKeyser left and his deal end this summer) and rebuilding the prospect pool. He's also not afraid to make hockey trades. Holland only made deadline deals or really minor trades. Plus Holland liked to recycle players he's had before even if they are not even close to the players they were in the past.

I do think the Wings could use a bit more toughness and physicality.

Wings are doing better than i expected so can't complain too much especially since Vrana hasn't played a single game so far this season.
- dcz28

Hell, I even wrote in my notes that if it weren't for him, the game against Winnipeg would've been 6-0 after the second. He made some huge saves. Plus that stretch pass to Suter in the first was a thing of beauty.

Do you think Leddy will be re-signed? I was pretty surprised he was on Detroit when taking a look at their roster the other day.

Hell, I even wrote in my notes that if it weren't for him, the game against Winnipeg would've been 6-0 after the second. He made some huge saves. Plus that stretch pass to Suter in the first was a thing of beauty.

Do you think Leddy will be re-signed? I was pretty surprised he was on Detroit when taking a look at their roster the other day.
- Oilers4Life14

Yeah Ned is a pretty good puck handler which does help the defense compared to a lot of goalies who just shoot it around the boards all the time.

I'm not sure on Leddy. He hasn't produced a lot but can skate the puck out and into the other team zone. It might depend on how much he wants and for how long. Yzerman does like to have some vets for the young players. I do hope he lets DeKeyser go and maybe Staal too but that might depend on what happens with Leddy. Would be nice if Yzerman could sign Lindholm from the Ducks this summer instead of Leddy, DeKeyser and Staal but i doubt that Yzerman will win the bidding war for him if he hits the market.

Yeah Ned is a pretty good puck handler which does help the defense compared to a lot of goalies who just shoot it around the boards all the time.

I'm not sure on Leddy. He hasn't produced a lot but can skate the puck out and into the other team zone. It might depend on how much he wants and for how long. Yzerman does like to have some vets for the young players. I do hope he lets DeKeyser go and maybe Staal too but that might depend on what happens with Leddy. Would be nice if Yzerman could sign Lindholm from the Ducks this summer instead of Leddy, DeKeyser and Staal but i doubt that Yzerman will win the bidding war for him if he hits the market.
- dcz28

There were a few occasions where I was like "Ned, what the (frank) are you doing", but overall, he really does seem like the tender of the future (depending on Cossa's development)

I brought this up in the Detroit thread, but would you trade a protected first for Chychrun?

Rumor is that Katz was in town. Held a meeting with his Sr management. Agreed to a gameplan going forward. I suspect it means no immediate changes. Nix, Holland, and Tipps likely convinced him it's just a slump and things will adjust going forward. 9-1-1 to start the year was unrealistic so 2-20-2 is also unrealistic will be their excuse.

trade proposals for McDavid? WTF for? Why? He's the best player in the world. If you can't win with him, you aint gonna win with a basket full of players of lesser skill. What is a punch of picks going to do? Who you gonna pick with a shiny new first round pick? Another McDavid?

Fire the GM. Fire the coach. Fire the assistants. Fire the (frank)ing massage therapist.

Without the right leadership from the top down, this team is going nowhere, even if you could get 20 players and 20 picks for McDavid.
- PDO-Speedwagon

Please stop, you're making me dizzy and I have gas faaaaaraaaaraaat oh my, I'm sorry.

There were a few occasions where I was like "Ned, what the (frank) are you doing", but overall, he really does seem like the tender of the future (depending on Cossa's development)

I brought this up in the Detroit thread, but would you trade a protected first for Chychrun?
- Oilers4Life14

A 2023 1st, Zadina, Albert Johansson, was my trade proposal, but was shot down on our boards as "you don't trade assets in a rebuild unless you want to be like Buffalo". I don't think it would be wise to get in a bidding war right now. As AZ does not have to trade Chychrun and just wait til they get an outrageous price for him. I see Chycrun going to LA.

Please stop, you're making me dizzy and I have gas faaaaaraaaaraaat oh my, I'm sorry.
- henny1953

Goooood, goooood, let the gas flow through you!

Rumor is that Katz was in town. Held a meeting with his Sr management. Agreed to a gameplan going forward. I suspect it means no immediate changes. Nix, Holland, and Tipps likely convinced him it's just a slump and things will adjust going forward. 9-1-1 to start the year was unrealistic so 2-20-2 is also unrealistic will be their excuse.
- wreckage

You’d hope Katz had learned. He heard the exact same story from the previous management teams and look how that went. Hope he’s doing some due diligence behind the scenes and has a replacement for Nicholson ready to go in the next few weeks. Make a good decision there then let that person clean house.

I don’t have cable and rarely listen to the radio and I just checked in on how the Oilers are doing ( honestly, nobody at work talks about hockey even).
THEY ARE TERRIBLE 😂😂😂

The worst of it all is that despite having two of the best forwards in the league that fan support has dwindled. There’s still fans but this isn’t a hockey mad city anymore. It’s nothing like the late 90’s or the mid 2000’s anyway. It happens I guess, after what 15 years of being the drizzling poops?
I mean think about it, if you’re still a die hard fan since the 06’ run, never missing a game, who’s the real loser? Talk about being taken for a ride. Think about all the productive things you could have done instead of watching the Oilers X hours a week for 15 years. How in any way did investing in this team improve your life?
In the immortal words of Johnny Rotten “ Do you ever get the feeling you’ve been cheated?”

Rumor is that Katz was in town. Held a meeting with his Sr management. Agreed to a gameplan going forward. I suspect it means no immediate changes. Nix, Holland, and Tipps likely convinced him it's just a slump and things will adjust going forward. 9-1-1 to start the year was unrealistic so 2-20-2 is also unrealistic will be their excuse.
- wreckage

Hearing it might be true. If so at least they all should know they’re on thin ice right now.

It’ll probably lead to Holland doing something stupid.

Lol. Now Skinner into Covid protocol. Hits keep coming.

Hearing it might be true. If so at least they all should know they’re on thin ice right now.

It’ll probably lead to Holland doing something stupid.
- TurdFergeson

I dont just spread info to spread it. If something I heard makes sense I will pass it along. I'm no insider like Ek so I don't get that info often.

Holland do something stupid? Like sign Kane? That should fix the systematic issues within this team.

They say they believe in the management and coaching.
Katz is the most hands off owner in the league. He very rarely visits Edmonton or shows his face publicly. Nicholson is in full control of the team. He’s incompetent though as Sean pointed out. Change needs to start with him.
- TurdFergeson

I thought they kicked Bob out and Holland had full autonomy ?

I don’t have cable and rarely listen to the radio and I just checked in on how the Oilers are doing ( honestly, nobody at work talks about hockey even).
THEY ARE TERRIBLE 😂😂😂

The worst of it all is that despite having two of the best forwards in the league that fan support has dwindled. There’s still fans but this isn’t a hockey mad city anymore. It’s nothing like the late 90’s or the mid 2000’s anyway. It happens I guess, after what 15 years of being the drizzling poops?
I mean think about it, if you’re still a die hard fan since the 06’ run, never missing a game, who’s the real loser? Talk about being taken for a ride. Think about all the productive things you could have done instead of watching the Oilers X hours a week for 15 years. How in any way did investing in this team improve your life?
In the immortal words of Johnny Rotten “ Do you ever get the feeling you’ve been cheated?”
- HonkyTonkMan

Fans are sick of it... I started watching Penguin games again (was a huge Mario/Jagr fan growing up).

Fans are sick of it... I started watching Penguin games again (was a huge Mario/Jagr fan growing up).
- Reveen

Wings and Jets for me.

I only watch Edmonton to cheer against them until changes are made.

Wings and Jets for me.

I only watch Edmonton to cheer against them until changes are made.
- Oilers4Life14

Its been the same ineptitude over and over with this franchise. If you cant figure it out with two of the best players in the world to build around then it will never happen.

Its been the same ineptitude over and over with this franchise. If you cant figure it out with two of the best players in the world to build around then it will never happen.
- Reveen

Yep. I've said ad nauseum on this site that the team killed my love for the game. Remember my annoying ass kid self? Remember the enthusiasm I had for the team? That was replaced by a cynical fan that literally had no reaction when they were swept by the Jets last season.

What's more is that I've watched the last three Wings games, and I actually kind of enjoyed myself. I remembered why I loved hockey in the first place.