takethebounce
Active VIP Member
This one will make the Nuck fans happy, maybe even the Flamers fans (although they have nothing to be happy about)...Bruins fans, you are doing okay over there.
I am having doubts about Edmonton's short term future. I wanted to be optimistic, but I can't right now.
Watching last nights game was like watching a train wreck at some points (st.louis). Going into next season the Defense is going to look something like this:
Whitney - Smid
Schultz - Petry (I am pretty sure they will extend him)
Sutton - Potter
Barker has been anything but great, I can't see them trying to keep him. Last night watching Barker and Potter was horrible at times. Petry still needs some time, but has bright moments and really bad moments. Peckham is as good as gone with those pairings as well. No point in signing him unless they plan on putting him in Oklahoma.
Also possibly able to return is the likes of Fedun. He was one of the best young D out there until he was hurt. I don't think Plante and Teubert have proved they have what it takes to play in the NHL. Could Marincin get a look? Klefbom is about the same in talent, has more size, and how about Musil? Gernat might fit in there as well. Those 4 might take another season or two to show they have what it takes at the pro level. Then what? You can't really start a season with 3 rookie D and expect great things to happen. Maybe one gets a shot for 2012/2013, then the other two a year later? 2013/2014. Can the fans remain patient that long? Do you hold your talent back because you want to do great things sooner and go after a UFA?
I have a hard time beliving Edmonton cracks a playoff position for 2012/2013. Lets not even get into Goaltending. Sorry Dubey, the jurey is still out on you.
Top six forwards as it stands.
Eberle, Gagner (yuck), Hemsky, Hall, RNH, ...thats 5.
Bottom six
Horcoff, Smyth, Jones, Belanger, Eager, and a player to be signed (Petrell, Hordichuk, whoever)
We know the kids can play. We know the management plays the old guys too much. I am still in favour of dumping Gagner. He has had a few good games and the media thinks he is the right fit for Edmontons future. No thanks. He is an RFA going into the off season. I'd trade him. For what though? Start thinking a winger with some size. Chances of getting a center with size are impossible. Maybe a goaltender. How about Cory Schnieder for Sam Gagner? Schnieder will never be the starter in Vancouver and he should be, Gagner would be a offensive talent on an aging team who may or may not bring a cup home this year.
Then you need to fill his role. Say hello to Mikhail Grigorenko. We know Oilers will pick likely top 3 at the draft. He is huge, only issue is he is Russian and you never know where their mindset is when it comes to playing in the NHL. Also available would be Alex Galchenyuk. American born, a little smaller than Grigorenko but deffinetly an offensive force and likely not going to run to Russia.
We still need to round out the top six...MPS has had a tough year, Omark was injured and since they kept Hemsky where does a soft offensive forward fit in that line up? Lander will likely continue to be a 4th line center, at some point when Horcoff gets injured could he get moved to the 3rd? How about Hartikainen...there hasn't been much hype with him but has done okay in OKC. After that the talent pool isn't as full as Oilers fan might like to believe. Curtis Hamilton is in there, but is questionable. Tyle Pitlick maybe in another 2 years. Arcobello is likely a career AHL player and is smaller, don't need too many more of those.
I think they have to go after a quality UFA winger. So thats where I stand, trade Gagner for Schnieder, take Galchenyuk at the draft to replace Gagner, sign a quality winger with size and fill your bottom six with a winger who knows their role. That will give you the offense needed. The D is going to be tough to fix for atleast 2 more years.
fewwww....that was long
I haven't forgotton players like Kytnar, Martindale, Motin, Simpson, Rieder, Tremblay, Pelss, and Blain either. But what do they bring to the table in the next two or three seasons that isn't already on the roster?
There is my Monday rant but I was busy all week and last nights game sent me over the edge.
I am having doubts about Edmonton's short term future. I wanted to be optimistic, but I can't right now.
Watching last nights game was like watching a train wreck at some points (st.louis). Going into next season the Defense is going to look something like this:
Whitney - Smid
Schultz - Petry (I am pretty sure they will extend him)
Sutton - Potter
Barker has been anything but great, I can't see them trying to keep him. Last night watching Barker and Potter was horrible at times. Petry still needs some time, but has bright moments and really bad moments. Peckham is as good as gone with those pairings as well. No point in signing him unless they plan on putting him in Oklahoma.
Also possibly able to return is the likes of Fedun. He was one of the best young D out there until he was hurt. I don't think Plante and Teubert have proved they have what it takes to play in the NHL. Could Marincin get a look? Klefbom is about the same in talent, has more size, and how about Musil? Gernat might fit in there as well. Those 4 might take another season or two to show they have what it takes at the pro level. Then what? You can't really start a season with 3 rookie D and expect great things to happen. Maybe one gets a shot for 2012/2013, then the other two a year later? 2013/2014. Can the fans remain patient that long? Do you hold your talent back because you want to do great things sooner and go after a UFA?
I have a hard time beliving Edmonton cracks a playoff position for 2012/2013. Lets not even get into Goaltending. Sorry Dubey, the jurey is still out on you.
Top six forwards as it stands.
Eberle, Gagner (yuck), Hemsky, Hall, RNH, ...thats 5.
Bottom six
Horcoff, Smyth, Jones, Belanger, Eager, and a player to be signed (Petrell, Hordichuk, whoever)
We know the kids can play. We know the management plays the old guys too much. I am still in favour of dumping Gagner. He has had a few good games and the media thinks he is the right fit for Edmontons future. No thanks. He is an RFA going into the off season. I'd trade him. For what though? Start thinking a winger with some size. Chances of getting a center with size are impossible. Maybe a goaltender. How about Cory Schnieder for Sam Gagner? Schnieder will never be the starter in Vancouver and he should be, Gagner would be a offensive talent on an aging team who may or may not bring a cup home this year.
Then you need to fill his role. Say hello to Mikhail Grigorenko. We know Oilers will pick likely top 3 at the draft. He is huge, only issue is he is Russian and you never know where their mindset is when it comes to playing in the NHL. Also available would be Alex Galchenyuk. American born, a little smaller than Grigorenko but deffinetly an offensive force and likely not going to run to Russia.
We still need to round out the top six...MPS has had a tough year, Omark was injured and since they kept Hemsky where does a soft offensive forward fit in that line up? Lander will likely continue to be a 4th line center, at some point when Horcoff gets injured could he get moved to the 3rd? How about Hartikainen...there hasn't been much hype with him but has done okay in OKC. After that the talent pool isn't as full as Oilers fan might like to believe. Curtis Hamilton is in there, but is questionable. Tyle Pitlick maybe in another 2 years. Arcobello is likely a career AHL player and is smaller, don't need too many more of those.
I think they have to go after a quality UFA winger. So thats where I stand, trade Gagner for Schnieder, take Galchenyuk at the draft to replace Gagner, sign a quality winger with size and fill your bottom six with a winger who knows their role. That will give you the offense needed. The D is going to be tough to fix for atleast 2 more years.
fewwww....that was long
I haven't forgotton players like Kytnar, Martindale, Motin, Simpson, Rieder, Tremblay, Pelss, and Blain either. But what do they bring to the table in the next two or three seasons that isn't already on the roster?
There is my Monday rant but I was busy all week and last nights game sent me over the edge.
