I would trade this years 1st if it helps us become a better team now....no matter who we draft there he won’t be ready to play next season and we need help now.....the fans are obviously sick of it as are some players (more Nuge then anyone at this point) the Oilers have a lot of work to do this off season
- RatedR80

But we can achieve both the goal of getting better now AND keeping what is likely a serious future asset. We're not going to be able to fix all this in one offseason, but we can at least get on track and be competitive with a nice top-6 and middle-6 addition- maybe a short term 2RD, as well. I think it's important to remind ourselves that fixes rarely happen overnight and not to rush things more than necessary.

This offseason should be about adding a couple pieces to the forwards (enough to get us competitive), during the season next year we can add another one or two (Benson and Marody) and that offseason can bring another piece or two.

Bright side, Dallas' 2nd PP unit isn't a bunch of world beaters either. It's Heiskanen running it with just Faksa, Hintz, Lindell and Justin "AHL" Dowling.

But we can achieve both the goal of getting better now AND keeping what is likely a serious future asset. We're not going to be able to fix all this in one offseason, but we can at least get on track and be competitive with a nice top-6 and middle-6 addition- maybe a short term 2RD, as well. I think it's important to remind ourselves that fixes rarely happen overnight and not to rush things more than necessary.

This offseason should be about adding a couple pieces to the forwards (enough to get us competitive), during the season next year we can add another one or two (Benson and Marody) and that offseason can bring another piece or two.
- MaximumBone

I’m not crazy enough to think that it’s an overnight fix because it won’t be....far too many issues to fix but what I want to see is them going hard after guys to play with Nuge next year....I’m good with Drai-McDavid-Kassian for the top line so let’s get Nuge some guys to keep him happy so we have a shot to actually resign him....we have enough guys between the Condors and this current group to fill in the bottom 6 group....if we can even get a line with Nuge going this is a far better team

I’m not crazy enough to think that it’s an overnight fix because it won’t be....far too many issues to fix but what I want to see is them going hard after guys to play with Nuge next year....I’m good with Drai-McDavid-Kassian for the top line so let’s get Nuge some guys to keep him happy so we have a shot to actually resign him....we have enough guys between the Condors and this current group to fill in the bottom 6 group....if we can even get a line with Nuge going this is a far better team
- RatedR80

I absolutely agree, but I'm confident it can be done without surrendering the #8 and, as such, I'd prefer to prioritize doing that. That asset will continue to have comparable value even after it's picked, so I'm not in a rush.

I absolutely agree, but I'm confident it can be done without surrendering the #8 and, as such, I'd prefer to prioritize doing that. That asset will continue to have comparable value even after it's picked, so I'm not in a rush.
- MaximumBone

My laundry list for this team looks like this but keep in mind I don’t expect it to all happen this off season

1. New management.....can’t really do much until they finally get the right guys in the right places

2. Clearing cap space....the obvious targets are Lucic and Russell....I also think if you can get something decent for Sekera that should be explored as well given the current LHD we already have

3. Wingers for Nuge....I already addressed this in a previous post

4. Solid back up for Koskenin....I would personally feel much better knowing we had a reliable back up because I’m still not convinced our 4.5 million dollar starter is even a starter

5. One more RHD and preferably someone who can move the puck until Bouchard is fully ready to be an NHL player

My laundry list for this team looks like this but keep in mind I don’t expect it to all happen this off season

1. New management.....can’t really do much until they finally get the right guys in the right places

2. Clearing cap space....the obvious targets are Lucic and Russell....I also think if you can get something decent for Sekera that should be explored as well given the current LHD we already have

3. Wingers for Nuge....I already addressed this in a previous post

4. Solid back up for Koskenin....I would personally feel much better knowing we had a reliable back up because I’m still not convinced our 4.5 million dollar starter is even a starter

5. One more RHD and preferably someone who can move the puck until Bouchard is fully ready to be an NHL player
- RatedR80

I would add revamp the pro scouting staff and add a C for the 3rd line, but otherwise yes.

I would add revamp the pro scouting staff and add a C for the 3rd line, but otherwise yes.
- MaximumBone

Scouting staff would be part of the management solution....I could also throw in analytics guys as well

Scouting staff would be part of the management solution....I could also throw in analytics guys as well
- RatedR80

Or at least one considering how many of the "drivers" of the movement are Oilers fans. A disproportionate amount, in fact. I guess it only stands to reason that innovation comes from an environment of wilful ignorance and hubris.

Or at least one considering how many of the "drivers" of the movement are Oilers fans. A disproportionate amount, in fact. I guess it only stands to reason that innovation comes from an environment of wilful ignorance and hubris.
- MaximumBone

Blows my mind that Katz will pay Coffey 500k for nothing but is hesitant to spend on scouting and analytics....it really does pay to be an Oiler from the 80s

Blows my mind that Katz will pay Coffey 500k for nothing but is hesitant to spend on scouting and analytics....it really does pay to be an Oiler from the 80s
- RatedR80

Yup. You could employ a small analytics department that would produce better results than their scouting has for the total cost of Coffey's pay out. This isn't to say scouting in person doesn't still have value; just an indictment of how bad they've been and how poorly Katz allows funds to be allocated.

Ebs is 3-2-5 in 3 games so far into this year's playoffs... literally one of the main reasons why NYI has a 3-0 series lead over Pittsburgh...

Why the (frank) did we trade him again? Oh yeah, He's LaZy, DisApEaRs iN BiG mOmEnTs, AnD Is bAd In tHe pOsT SeAsOn....

He had a down year in the regular season this year, I'll admit that, but nothing but strong play so far into this postseason.

He's literally the type of top 6 winger we would want right now. Speedy, agile, plays the modern game. His only flaw is his defensive play and perhaps consistency issues, but that can be overlooked easily considering what he brings.

McD-LD
RNH-Ebs

As your duos for the top 6 >> than what we have right now...

Ebs is 3-2-5 in 3 games so far into this year's playoffs... literally one of the main reasons why NYI has a 3-0 series lead over Pittsburgh...

Why the (frank) did we trade him again? Oh yeah, He's LaZy, DisApEaRs iN BiG mOmEnTs, AnD Is bAd In tHe pOsT SeAsOn....

He had a down year in the regular season this year, I'll admit that, but nothing but strong play so far into this postseason.

He's literally the type of top 6 winger we would want right now. Speedy, agile, plays the modern game. His only flaw is his defensive play and perhaps consistency issues, but that can be overlooked easily considering what he brings.

McD-LD
RNH-Ebs

As your duos for the top 6 >> than what we have right now...
- EdmHockeyMan

But on the bright side, his play has all but guaranteed that the Penguins are (frank)ed. So there is that.

But on the bright side, his play has all but guaranteed that the Penguins are (frank)ed. So there is that.
- Wildschwein

- RafiDRW

You gotta put Eb’s face on that bear somehow.

You gotta put Eb’s face on that bear somehow.
- Wildschwein

Can’t find a way to do it from a browser on my iPad. I might if I spend time finding a gif editor app

Goddam, Mark Stone That whole line, but especially Stone.

Goddam, Mark Stone That whole line, but especially Stone.
- MaximumBone

It’s amazing. They added a whole first line on top of a decent one to begin with. They still have room, Gusev is coming, top level goaltending and a young and fast, responsible d-corps... (frank) me. That’s a hell of a team.

It’s amazing. They added a whole first line on top of a decent one to begin with. They still have room, Gusev is coming, top level goaltending and a young and fast, responsible d-corps... (frank) me. That’s a hell of a team.
- RafiDRW

They are winning the cup....(frank) them tho since they are a Pacific team

But on the bright side, his play has all but guaranteed that the Penguins are (frank)ed. So there is that.
- Wildschwein

True.

Goddam, Mark Stone That whole line, but especially Stone.
- MaximumBone

Oh, how wrong I was to think that he was overpaid.

They are winning the cup....(frank) them tho since they are a Pacific team
- RatedR80

I’m still a Vegas fan.. have Nosek on there.

I’m still a Vegas fan.. have Nosek on there.
- RafiDRW

Go Avs go!!!!!

Go Avs go!!!!!
- RatedR80

- RafiDRW

Oh, how wrong I was to think that he was overpaid.
- EdmHockeyMan

Oh how bummed I am that Edmonton didn't have the kind of manager to take advantage of the availability of such a player