Matt Henderson: G14: Leafs @ Oilers: Gagner Returns Oilers play the Leafs in Edmonton and Sam Gagner makes his return to the lineup. Bachman gets the nod in net. Will the return of their 2nd leading scorer from last year help the Oil turn things around?

fist?

Edit: FIST!

3) "Move Your Feet. I noticed it a few games ago but the Oiler defense is particularly bad at moving up with the puck out of their own zone. They make what I think is too many pass attempts from deep in their own zone while not having any forward momentum at all. Let me know if you see it too. It seems as though the forwards are consistently too far ahead because the defense is immobile"

They get hemmed in so often and are trying anything to get it out.
None of them are really strong enough skaters to start the rush on their own either (jultz i guess)

Considering what we're hearing about larsen in the A, im surprised nultz hasnt gotten a night off in favour of someone who might be able to inject something into the breakout. I suppose hampering our defence furthur might not be the best course of action tho. ( i really dont think larsen would be much worse. But maybe mngmt doesnt agree

ABTL...
Go Oil...

Matt Henderson: G14: Leafs @ Oilers: Gagner Returns
Oilers play the Leafs in Edmonton and Sam Gagner makes his return to the lineup. Bachman gets the nod in net. Will the return of their 2nd leading scorer from last year help the Oil turn things around?
- Matt_Henderson

Hope they use the meltdown in the last game against the Leafs as motivation and come out hard from the get go and take it to them all night.

Would love to see them crush the Leafs.

Sammy G - ragin in the cage.

Die Leafs. Just die.

3) "Move Your Feet. I noticed it a few games ago but the Oiler defense is particularly bad at moving up with the puck out of their own zone. They make what I think is too many pass attempts from deep in their own zone while not having any forward momentum at all. Let me know if you see it too. It seems as though the forwards are consistently too far ahead because the defense is immobile"

They get hemmed in so often and are trying anything to get it out.
None of them are really strong enough skaters to start the rush on their own either (jultz i guess)

Considering what we're hearing about larsen in the A, im surprised nultz hasnt gotten a night off in favour of someone who might be able to inject something into the breakout. I suppose hampering our defence furthur might not be the best course of action tho. ( i really dont think larsen would be much worse. But maybe mngmt doesnt agree
- hugefemale dog77

Actually Larsen would be great, in my opinion, and it would definitely be Nultz coming out. Larsen blew me away in preseason with his speed coming out of the defensive zone.

Hope they use the meltdown in the last game against the Leafs as motivation and come out hard from the get go and take it to them all night.

Would love to see them crush the Leafs.
- Iggysbff

I wouldn't, go Leafs go Hopefully it's a good game from both teams.

Actually Larsen would be great, in my opinion, and it would definitely be Nultz coming out. Larsen blew me away in preseason with his speed coming out of the defensive zone.
- Matt_Henderson

The Oilers breakouts and transition game has been nothing short of atrocious IMO.

Finding a D-man or two who can make a quick, tape-to-tape pass would do this team wonders. Petry has shown moments...

You are right Matt... they spend 10 seconds passing the puck back in forth in there own zone; meanwhile the opposition has lined up at the blue line in preperation. You are not alone in this thinking... it is truly painful to watch.

With the speed and skill this team possesses we should have one the more dangerous transition games in the league...

Anything good on the tube tonight?

The Oilers breakouts and transition game has been nothing short of atrocious IMO.

Finding a D-man or two who can make a quick, tape-to-tape pass would do this team wonders. Petry has shown moments...

You are right Matt... they spend 10 seconds passing the puck back in forth in there own zone; meanwhile the opposition has lined up at the blue line in preperation. You are not alone in this thinking... it is truly painful to watch.

With the speed and skill this team possesses we should have one the more dangerous transition games in the league...
- OilDerek

agree

According to twitter Dubnyk was at practice too today... is there another 3 headed monster looming???

The Oilers breakouts and transition game has been nothing short of atrocious IMO.

Finding a D-man or two who can make a quick, tape-to-tape pass would do this team wonders. Petry has shown moments...

You are right Matt... they spend 10 seconds passing the puck back in forth in there own zone; meanwhile the opposition has lined up at the blue line in preperation. You are not alone in this thinking... it is truly painful to watch.

With the speed and skill this team possesses we should have one the more dangerous transition games in the league...
- OilDerek

Devil's advocate here but I've liked it at times. Yes, it needs to be more balanced and there needs to be a more direct flow out of the zone but better to have possession then rush yet ANOTHER puck over two lines only to have it unreceived and turned over.

Anything good on the tube tonight?
- doon

a depressing reality isn't it.

According to twitter Dubnyk was at practice too today... is there another 3 headed monster looming???
- saskoil21

Say, hypothetically, Bachman is awfully average tonight, no bad goals, no big saves and the Oil lose, I wonder if that makes it easy on management / coaching staff to send him back - or, they decide to send Labarbera down.

Anyway, it is nice to actually have this level of competition rise up from our youngish third stringer as opposed to a lifer like Danis.

And here I was lead to believe Edmonton was the only city that can't attract free agents or get players to waive NMCs:

Nick Kypreos says Miller, who has a no-trade clause, won't approve a move to Canada.

And here I was lead to believe Edmonton was the only city that can't attract free agents or get players to waive NMCs:

Nick Kypreos says Miller, who has a no-trade clause, won't approve a move to Canada.
- Al Hacker

Ahhh (frank) Miller... he is too risky anyway- Kyper should really let this topic go already... its dead in the water weeks ago FFS....

Devil's advocate here but I've liked it at times. Yes, it needs to be more balanced and there needs to be a more direct flow out of the zone but better to have possession then rush yet ANOTHER puck over two lines only to have it unreceived and turned over.
- Salvo

I don't disagree with your assessment...

However, most would agree that the likes of Yak, Ebs, and especially Hall are far more dangerous when they are flying at full speed down the wing, having received a pass at full stride.

I have grown tired of watching our defense play hot potato... meanwhile, our wingers are ususally at or near a complete stand still at the oppositions blue line. Eventually the pass is attempted... sometimes it is received, most times it is intercepted. If it is received Hall is on his ass just crossing into the offensive zone... and the puck is already going in the opposite direction before he hits the ice.

Say, hypothetically, Bachman is awfully average tonight, no bad goals, no big saves and the Oil lose, I wonder if that makes it easy on management / coaching staff to send him back - or, they decide to send Labarbera down.

Anyway, it is nice to actually have this level of competition rise up from our youngish third stringer as opposed to a lifer like Danis.
- Salvo

Its an interesting scenario... what if we win cause of bach... time will tell i guess

it always seems people return for injury or break their slumps against the leafs

it always seems people return for injury or break their slumps against the leafs

The Oilers will be okay in the long run if they don't panic. Not all 1st overall picks are Crosbys and Ovechkins. A player usually only reaches their prime around 23-26 years old. So far - of the youth movement - only Eberle has just reached that age.

The only thing they miss out on compared to PIT and CHI is that they probably won't have these 1st overall picks at bargain entry level deals by the time their team is ready to contend. Also I don't think any of these guys are on the Crosby, Malkin, Letang, Toews, Kane level of talent. But time will tell as they age and develop.

***edit: GO LEAFS GO!

Actually Larsen would be great, in my opinion, and it would definitely be Nultz coming out. Larsen blew me away in preseason with his speed coming out of the defensive zone.
- Matt_Henderson

1000%

i thought he was a throw in for the horcoff trade. then i saw him play. what a skater.

that okc guys' thought on the barons this year didn't hurt my opinion either.
something like 'Larsen has been the best player on the barons by a mile. including nuge and hall, he's the best skater that's ever played for this franchise"

that's huge praise

The Oilers breakouts and transition game has been nothing short of atrocious IMO.

Finding a D-man or two who can make a quick, tape-to-tape pass would do this team wonders. Petry has shown moments...

You are right Matt... they spend 10 seconds passing the puck back in forth in there own zone; meanwhile the opposition has lined up at the blue line in preperation. You are not alone in this thinking... it is truly painful to watch.

With the speed and skill this team possesses we should have one the more dangerous transition games in the league...
- OilDerek

Larsen can do this.
but he has that extra gear to also be able to start the rush on his own, create space and get defenders backing up

ive pumped his tires a lot, and to be fair it was only a few games i saw against lesser competition, but wow that's a valuable asset if he can do it on a regular basis

I don't disagree with your assessment...

However, most would agree that the likes of Yak, Ebs, and especially Hall are far more dangerous when they are flying at full speed down the wing, having received a pass at full stride.

I have grown tired of watching our defense play hot potato... meanwhile, our wingers are ususally at or near a complete stand still at the oppositions blue line. Eventually the pass is attempted... sometimes it is received, most times it is intercepted. If it is received Hall is on his ass just crossing into the offensive zone... and the puck is already going in the opposite direction before he hits the ice.
- OilDerek

Lol - it does suck man, I hear you, just need to better overall.

Also, Gagner to Yak tonight. Book it for one G.