Bulin might not be bad if he is just a backup. What I want is another good AHL goalie like we had the past couple years. This way if Bulin is no good then we call up Gerber or Dannis. Bulin did his jail already.

I'm not too worried about our 4th, because if our other 3 lines are good we shouldn't have to worry about the 4th. Petrell-Belanger-Jones should be a good enough 4th line. The problem is if you end up using Belanger/Jones on the 3rd then you run into a problem.
- Lahey

Fair enough man, I didn't realize he did his time. I do believe though he needs to go. Solving the third line still shouldn't be too difficult finding guys who can grind and score 10+ goals a year there's a few of them out there. Stoll appearantly is available, We have Armstrong with just 1 year left on his contract, whos a great 3rd liner but has had really bad luck in Toronto with injuries, he might be worth a try in Edmonton especially with just 1 year left your not screwed with him. When he's healthy you'll love him.

Fair enough man, I didn't realize he did his time. I do believe though he needs to go. Solving the third line still shouldn't be too difficult finding guys who can grind and score 10+ goals a year there's a few of them out there. Stoll appearantly is available, We have Armstrong with just 1 year left on his contract, whos a great 3rd liner but has had really bad luck in Toronto with injuries, he might be worth a try in Edmonton especially with just 1 year left your not screwed with him. When he's healthy you'll love him.
- wolfos412

I'd love to sign Stoll and move Belanger at the draft. Stoll plays a similar game, but adds grit and an option on the PP at the point.

One way or another this is Bulin's last year in Edmonton.

Richard Cloutier: 20 Things I've Learned as an Edmonton Oilers Blogger
- Maxbone

1) I would much rather boring wins over exciting losses. I would of course much rather exciting losses over boring losses. If the trade off for racking up A LOT of boring wins is a few boring losses, i'll take it.

6) Uhuh. So you propose to take the guy who didn't take a single own-zone faceoff all year and was still terrible at it and use him to replace the guy who took most of the own-zone faceoffs and was great at it, and you think that will help us win more games?

If there's one thing I get aggravated about in your Oilers blogs, it's how you invent narratives about how every player you don't like "doesn't care". Ideally, you want your 4th liner Belanger to play like a 2nd liner Belanger of old, but that's about the 9th biggest problem on the team, and if we solved even problem 1, let alone 2-8, you'd be praising Belanger night in night out.

12) I agree. When he signed his contract, he was producing on Jordan Staal level - great defensive centre putting up 50-70 points a year. Staal on the open market would fetch 5 mill and be treated as a top line saviour. Obviously it didn't work out like that for Horcoff, but honestly that contract was a rebuild ago. Get over it, Horcoff is still probably one of the best (only!) two-way talents on our team.

17) If Ryan Smyth had produced 45 points at an even clip over 82 games instead of his 30-15 split, fans would still be talking about how captain Hall should pass the cup right to Ryan when we win it. He ran out of gas, but I think he can still be a heart and soul member of this team. Smyth cares about the team, he just didn't have the goods physically for a full season it seems. Just because he couldn't, doesn't mean he didn't want to.

20) Fans who feel sorry for the flames are getting waaay ahead of themselves.

1) I would much rather boring wins over exciting losses. I would of course much rather exciting losses over boring losses. If the trade off for racking up A LOT of boring wins is a few boring losses, i'll take it.

6) Uhuh. So you propose to take the guy who didn't take a single own-zone faceoff all year and was still terrible at it and use him to replace the guy who took most of the own-zone faceoffs and was great at it, and you think that will help us win more games?

If there's one thing I get aggravated about in your Oilers blogs, it's how you invent narratives about how every player you don't like "doesn't care". Ideally, you want your 4th liner Belanger to play like a 2nd liner Belanger of old, but that's about the 9th biggest problem on the team, and if we solved even problem 1, let alone 2-8, you'd be praising Belanger night in night out.

12) I agree. When he signed his contract, he was producing on Jordan Staal level - great defensive centre putting up 50-70 points a year. Staal on the open market would fetch 5 mill and be treated as a top line saviour. Obviously it didn't work out like that for Horcoff, but honestly that contract was a rebuild ago. Get over it, Horcoff is still probably one of the best (only!) two-way talents on our team.

17) If Ryan Smyth had produced 45 points at an even clip over 82 games instead of his 30-15 split, fans would still be talking about how captain Hall should pass the cup right to Ryan when we win it. He ran out of gas, but I think he can still be a heart and soul member of this team. Smyth cares about the team, he just didn't have the goods physically for a full season it seems. Just because he couldn't, doesn't mean he didn't want to.

20) Fans who feel sorry for the flames are getting waaay ahead of themselves.
- Morris

Welcome to the darkside

Foster, Barker, Eager, Jones, Potter, Sutton, Fraser etc... There was no need to go for hire end guys because we were trying to build a prospect pool, but you can't see this apparently. Yes there is still issues we know that, if there wasn't issues then we'd be playing for Stanley Cup instead of LA.
- Lahey

Listen, I see that he is trying to build a prospect pool. Thats fine. My point is that it is hard to justify a position where the plan is to fail as bad as you can fail for year after year. Rebuilds don't require finishing dead last 3+ years in a row. If the only examples you have of him being active in trying to build something, then yikes. Does he have pro scouts?

You can acquire pieces to be part of the future puzzle without just sitting on your hands and hoping to god something works out with your picks. I'm all for prospects, but seriously, can you honestly say he is doing a good job and is your defintiion of doing a good job being the worst and most useless GM in the league for several seasons?

Tallon turned his team around in 1 season, while maintaining the strongest prospect pool in hockey. The Sens dropped some guys, added some picks and still made the playoffs the following year of a rebuild.

How did they do it? By being pro-active, identifying what is needed and acquiring it. If the plan in Ottawa was to fail for three+ season as badly as the Oilers have while not adding anything on the ice to even look remotely like an effort to improve, Murray would have been fired... and rightfully so.

The higher level plan, that of building a prospect pool and building through the draft, thats just a standard way of imprving over time. My point is other GMs can have the higher level plan and come up with ways to accelerate it through effort... something I don't see in Tambo. His plan could be executed by a freaking monkey and show the same results.

Listen, I see that he is trying to build a prospect pool. Thats fine. My point is that it is hard to justify a position where the plan is to fail as bad as you can fail for year after year. Rebuilds don't require finishing dead last 3+ years in a row. If the only examples you have of him being active in trying to build something, then yikes. Does he have pro scouts?

You can acquire pieces to be part of the future puzzle without just sitting on your hands and hoping to god something works out with your picks. I'm all for prospects, but seriously, can you honestly say he is doing a good job and is your defintiion of doing a good job being the worst and most useless GM in the league for several seasons?

Tallon turned his team around in 1 season, while maintaining the strongest prospect pool in hockey. The Sens dropped some guys, added some picks and still made the playoffs the following year of a rebuild.

How did they do it? By being pro-active, identifying what is needed and acquiring it. If the plan in Ottawa was to fail for three+ season as badly as the Oilers have while not adding anything on the ice to even look remotely like an effort to improve, Murray would have been fired... and rightfully so.

The higher level plan, that of building a prospect pool and building through the draft, thats just a standard way of imprving over time. My point is other GMs can have the higher level plan and come up with ways to accelerate it through effort... something I don't see in Tambo. His plan could be executed by a freaking monkey and show the same results.
- Lohaus

The best part of the novel was the part where you said things we've never heard before. Would it be nice if we had a Spezza and an Alfredsson to help us stay competitive through he rebuild? Sure. But we don't. Edmonton didn't start a rebuild on purpose. A number of circumstances contributed and they basically didn't have a choice.
We're all as frustrated with Tambellini as anyone. Actually, a lot more so. Trust me. He basically has this season or he's gone IMO. Some teams go through more than one GM in a rebuild. Some teams need to reach a cap floor and get lucky as Tallon did In FLA with some castoffs and high contract FAs.
Basically, thanks for the input but we're more than aware of the issues.

Who wants to get butt naked and wrestle?

*strips cloths off and lathers himself up in baby oil, puts arms up like blue in old school. Grins like Richard when Yost sends him a PM asking if he wants to go grab a milkshake with 2 straws*

Listen, I see that he is trying to build a prospect pool. Thats fine. My point is that it is hard to justify a position where the plan is to fail as bad as you can fail for year after year. Rebuilds don't require finishing dead last 3+ years in a row. If the only examples you have of him being active in trying to build something, then yikes. Does he have pro scouts?

You can acquire pieces to be part of the future puzzle without just sitting on your hands and hoping to god something works out with your picks. I'm all for prospects, but seriously, can you honestly say he is doing a good job and is your defintiion of doing a good job being the worst and most useless GM in the league for several seasons?

Tallon turned his team around in 1 season, while maintaining the strongest prospect pool in hockey. The Sens dropped some guys, added some picks and still made the playoffs the following year of a rebuild.

How did they do it? By being pro-active, identifying what is needed and acquiring it. If the plan in Ottawa was to fail for three+ season as badly as the Oilers have while not adding anything on the ice to even look remotely like an effort to improve, Murray would have been fired... and rightfully so.

The higher level plan, that of building a prospect pool and building through the draft, thats just a standard way of imprving over time. My point is other GMs can have the higher level plan and come up with ways to accelerate it through effort... something I don't see in Tambo. His plan could be executed by a freaking monkey and show the same results.
- Lohaus

1) Tallon inherited a deep prospect pool.

2) Signed a bunch of short term plugs which happened to work out.

3) Florida plays in the weakest division in hockey where even the Oilers could have had a way better season.

Whoa, jesus titty (frank)ing christ. You seem to hate ryan smyth there champ. Are you so sure the fans in Edmonton actually hate him as much as you do?
I don't totally disagree with what you have said, but he still has to look out for himself and his family somewhat when getting a contract. As i read yesterday, wanting a 2 year deal at his age, isnt asking too much for 2 mil per. Question is whether he is ok with a reduced role and playing third line minutes.
- ruttager17

No Laughs has a point... The team should come first- Smyth has likely 1 season to mean anything to the team... and asks for a (frank)ing 3 year deal... Of course everyone wants to make the most money you can- yet no discount attempts like some players to play at home again by Smyth- and the way he came to Edmonton created alot of poop with LA (good trading partners of the past)- and the Fraser poop did not help either but look who got another ring... (frank)ing Fraser!

I thought i read somewhere that he wanted more than a 1 year deal and the oilers only wanted to give him a 1 year contract? I dont blame him at his age, with a family that he demanded to be traded back to edmonton for, that he wants to know where he will be further ahead than a year. If he is holding out for more than the 2 million that is offered, then he is everything you have said about him and i hope he is traded or signed as far away and to the worst place he could possibly play
- ruttager17

Smyth is not needed for more than 1 season... We have alot of players in the system that should be ready by next year... Further- there is always Jagr

1) Tallon inherited a deep prospect pool.

2) Signed a bunch of short term plugs which happened to work out.

3) Florida plays in the weakest division in hockey where even the Oilers could have had a way better season.
- Starbuck

Also, most of Florida's top prospect aren't on their ELCs, and so there's no cap considerations when acquiring guys like Brian Campbell.

1) Tallon inherited a deep prospect pool.

2) Signed a bunch of short term plugs which happened to work out.

3) Florida plays in the weakest division in hockey where even the Oilers could have had a way better season.
- Starbuck

1) never said he built it, I said he maintained it.
2) He acquired a impact D in Campbell at a decent price. Something Tambo never had the balls or foresight to do. Tallon identified players he could use to win games. I see no flaw in that.
3) There are 8 points difference between the two divisions. The Southeast also only had one sub 500 team while the Northwest had 2. Not really an argument.

I believe that it is term that is being haggled over.

He did turn down a Bertuzzi like contract. Not sure if that was over money or term also. I hope it is term only and he wants a 2 year not a longer term where the team only wants to give a 1 year.

I am not happy with Smyth...not to the levels of Laughs, I am not sure most same people take the levels of disgust to that proportions...but even @ 1 year for 2 mil he can retire and live a modest life. It is not like he wont get money in the future from other things he will do.
- OilHorse

He has restaurant in Edmonton if he pisses off Oil fans it will suffer.Catch 22 if he's worried about retirement money

The best part of the novel was the part where you said things we've never heard before. Would it be nice if we had a Spezza and an Alfredsson to help us stay competitive through he rebuild? Sure. But we don't. Edmonton didn't start a rebuild on purpose. A number of circumstances contributed and they basically didn't have a choice.
We're all as frustrated with Tambellini as anyone. Actually, a lot more so. Trust me. He basically has this season or he's gone IMO. Some teams go through more than one GM in a rebuild. Some teams need to reach a cap floor and get lucky as Tallon did In FLA with some castoffs and high contract FAs.
Basically, thanks for the input but we're more than aware of the issues.
- sanfordnson

This is all my original point was but the original response was he was doing a good job. I don't see how anyone can defend his body of work.

Yep. People complain about Belanger on the PP, but take him off and put RNH there. Lets just see how good the PP is when we are going back to our end for the first 15-20 seconds of every PP.
- Lahey

True but over the years when we did not win draws we had players like fraser or gilbert that could not stop the puck and keep play going at the line... had we had someone there that was not a turnover machine things might have been different... Further - Horcoff and Belanger should have taught the tools of the draw trade to the kids over the season know? I mean Gags %ages improved dramatically - I suspect Nuge's will too... once he has a strategy to not get overpowered on the dot... or goes on a cycle of roids or something

Smyth is not needed for more than 1 season... We have alot of players in the system that should be ready by next year... Further- there is always Jagr
- saskoil21

I wouldn't say he isn't needed, but there are potential options if he plays hardball.

Why do you want an active GM when you are doing a full out rebuild that included getting rid of bad contracts? The plan was to load up on high end prospects and slowly add.

Would we be better off to be in CBJ shoes where the GM went active because the fans wanted him too and now they are in a worse spot than they were than last year?

He added players that last few years, players that had potential but didn't cost anything. Took some chances, won some lost some. You don't draft first overall and then go out and sign 6 high end free agents.

FYI we just finished year 2
- Lahey

Exactly- overhaul everything then it is restocked and ready to fire and can sustain losses of injury or trade or free agency cause the core is there and a solid foundation

1) never said he built it, I said he maintained it.
2) He acquired a impact D in Campbell at a decent price. Something Tambo never had the balls or foresight to do. Tallon identified players he could use to win games. I see no flaw in that.
3) There are 8 points difference between the two divisions. The Southeast also only had one sub 500 team while the Northwest had 2. Not really an argument.
- Lohaus

Florida also has one other thing Edmonton doesn't have, actually two, no taxes and nice (frank)ing weather. Not hard to convince guys to play there especially when you over pay them. You see if you followed the Oilers you'd realize that this wasn't an option for the Oil. Free agents don't want to come here, they might once we turn a corner and start looking better, but they haven't in the past.

Bulin might not be bad if he is just a backup. What I want is another good AHL goalie like we had the past couple years. This way if Bulin is no good then we call up Gerber or Dannis. Bulin did his jail already.

I'm not too worried about our 4th, because if our other 3 lines are good we shouldn't have to worry about the 4th. Petrell-Belanger-Jones should be a good enough 4th line. The problem is if you end up using Belanger/Jones on the 3rd then you run into a problem.
- Lahey

When we called up gerber and he won those what 2 or 3 games for us it sure made you wonder why we did not leave him up but I know there was a plan to develop DD and nothing one could do with Khabby... but play it all out...

True but over the years when we did not win draws we had players like fraser or gilbert that could not stop the puck and keep play going at the line... had we had someone there that was not a turnover machine things might have been different... Further - Horcoff and Belanger should have taught the tools of the draw trade to the kids over the season know? I mean Gags %ages improved dramatically - I suspect Nuge's will too... once he has a strategy to not get overpowered on the dot... or goes on a cycle of roids or something
- saskoil21

It's not always about teaching, it's about learning and wanting to learn. Stoll and Horcoff wanted to learn when they had the chance from Oates.

This is all my original point was but the original response was he was doing a good job. I don't see how anyone can defend his body of work.
- Lohaus

We don't but we also understand that big contracts for 'now's players at this stage is unwise. There aremoves I wish he would have been in on, but Edmonton is also not exactly a free agent hotbed and our best trade pieces that would actually fetch value are players we would be stupid to trade, especially right now.

They've reached a stage now though, where an acquisition or three is necessary. Another lottery finish is flat out unacceptable. If he does nothing all summer, expect Oil Country to start calling for the heads of him and Lowe. I wouldn't be remotely opposed to MacT running things. He's a very sharp guy.

We don't but we also understand that big contracts for 'now's players at this stage is unwise. There aremoves I wish he would have been in on, but Edmonton is also not exactly a free agent hotbed and our best trade pieces that would actually fetch value are players we would be stupid to trade, especially right now.

They've reached a stage now though, where an acquisition or three is necessary. Another lottery finish is flat out unacceptable. If he does nothing all summer, expect Oil Country to start calling for the heads of him and Lowe. I wouldn't be remotely opposed to MacT running things. He's a very sharp guy.
- sanfordnson

I just want to see MacT do press conferences. I miss his subtle shots he takes at people.

Florida also has one other thing Edmonton doesn't have, actually two, no taxes and nice (frank)ing weather. Not hard to convince guys to play there especially when you over pay them. You see if you followed the Oilers you'd realize that this wasn't an option for the Oil. Free agents don't want to come here, they might once we turn a corner and start looking better, but they haven't in the past.
- Lahey

Not to mention Edmonton still has a great prospect pool (not as good as florida's) while having young stars in the NHL. None of Florida's prospects are on ELCs yet.

Further, Florida has been so tight fisted for so long that Tallon had no mess to clean up whatsoever. No cap issues, no big re-signings on the horizon, essentially a blank slate. Bringing in Brian Campbell isn't a luxury the oilers have with players on ELCs and bad contracts from the lowe era.

Now this is a hockey blog! Not some lame attempt at speculation or trade offers. You did bash Leafs fans but hey some deserve it, but then again all teams fans deserve a bashing.

It's not always about teaching, it's about learning and wanting to learn. Stoll and Horcoff wanted to learn when they had the chance from Oates.
- Lahey

Fair enough- but if I were Lander or Nuge I would be practicing draws with those 2 for the entire season... trying different things to get it right... Did anyone see the awards last night... SAM (frank)ING GAGNER WAS ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS IN THE NHL THIS YEAR!!!!!!!!!! - We cant have threads with out SG in it... It would not be right....