As I watch the intensity and competitiveness of this years playoffs, it occurs to me just how far away from being contenders this Oiler team is. I hope they are all watching and learning what it means to be a tough, determined playoff team.
That said, I am actually appalled at the mindless thuggery taking place in almost every game. Intensity and intimidation is one thing, idiocy and lack of respect is quite another.
This is why our bottom six needs to change. We're too gentlemanly.
We don't need thuggery, but we need some players who can do some damage when angry.
When we're there, we will be fine. Smid won't take anybody's ****. Sutton is the same way. Petry is capable. If he develops that then things will be fine for our defense.
We've got Eager for 2 more years barring a trade. Petrell can dish it. Hordichuk hasn't re-signed yet but if we grab him he helps.
Hall can play angry and we have small guys who are too sneaky to get caught up in the BS.
They'll be fine if we can solidify some more angry bottom six players.
I think once the Oilers make the playoffs, they'll be bounced pretty early their first time out... as it happens to most good young teams making to the dance for the first time. I'm not as worried about our top 6 not being able to handle the playoff intensity.. though it may happen... but its our defence and bottom 6 and team toughness in general that I think would be exposed greatly.
It's the playoffs. Intensity and aggressiveness get amped way up for these games. I'm guessing the OP was watching the Flyers-Penguins game when he posted. The Oilers beat both of those teams this year in the regular season. If the Penguins can look like a bunch of tough guys and warriors now that they're in the playoffs, I don't see why you'd think the Oilers couldn't do the same.
It's the playoffs. Intensity and aggressiveness get amped way up for these games. I'm guessing the OP was watching the Flyers-Penguins game when he posted. The Oilers beat both of those teams this year in the regular season. If the Penguins can look like a bunch of tough guys and warriors now that they're in the playoffs, I don't see why you'd think the Oilers couldn't do the same.
Yes of course I was watching the Pens Flyers, but also Sens Rangers, Blues Sharks for the goonery.
As for pure playoff intensity, it was tough to beat Hawks last night. So never mind the rough stuff, will the Oilers be able to match the determination and will of these teams?
I agree with another poster that the first time the Oil do make the playoffs, they will likely get bounced.
Part of the process.
Like other posters have said, thats why our bottom six needs changing. We have to get rid of Horcoff, Smyth, Belanger and even Jones probably. Can anyone honestly see those guys being effective in a game that intense? Too slow, low skill and they don't hit, the only one that may be useful in that group is Jones.
We need younger more truculent players.
Like other posters have said, thats why our bottom six needs changing. We have to get rid of Horcoff, Smyth, Belanger and even Jones probably. Can anyone honestly see those guys being effective in a game that intense? Too slow, low skill and they don't hit, the only one that may be useful in that group is Jones.
We need younger more truculent players.
We need Hartikainen to reach his ceiling and Hamilton/Pitlick to come to terms now with the fact that they'll be much more valuable to the Oilers as bangers/crashers that provide secondary scoring.
We need Hartikainen to reach his ceiling and Hamilton/Pitlick to come to terms now with the fact that they'll be much more valuable to the Oilers as bangers/crashers that provide secondary scoring.
Absolutely, I'm all for giving our own guys a chance to play, I'd much rather Harti get minutes than some of the old guys on our team. I still think we should go out and sign 1 or 2 guys as well though, if we can manage to get rid of the baggage that is taking up those roster spots right now.
The NHL is still run by a league of idiots. With the playoff game getting to be such WWE mayhem that the skilled players in the game are done every playoffs if they don't play on a team with an army of support.
The NHL apparently wants this thuggery to rule the game but at the expense of players like Sidney Crosby being done in.
The game today was an absolute disgrace and a Pens team responding to what the Philly team basically is. It was goons on ice today all round.
Everything from the team, to the announcers to the scoreboard theatrics and crowd in Philly is exciting bedlam and mayhem.
Entertaining I guess but little to do with hockey. We're back in the 70's with the broadstreet bullies ruling the roost.
The trouble is the serious slippery slope comes from here. If the NHL doesn't do something its strictly a game for bruisers only.
Bruins last year, Flyers now.
The NHL by deciding to allow games and strategies to be employed the way the Flyers do are basically stating that the Malkins and Crosbys no longer have a place in this league come playoff time.
I think it will probably be a while till we make the finals
But do you see the sedins, datsyuk, zetterberg etc etc throwing those hits either?
The key is players like harti. Also Hall and Yakupov are capable of throwing hits.
yeah true, we wont know until we see it. they're gonna have targets on there backs and heads though... i would rather have a player like Clowe than a player like hemsky. Even though hemsky is a beauty, we have enough skill upfront that we could benefit from a player like Clowe..IMO
The NHL is still run by a league of idiots. With the playoff game getting to be such WWE mayhem that the skilled players in the game are done every playoffs if they don't play on a team with an army of support.
The NHL apparently wants this thuggery to rule the game but at the expense of players like Sidney Crosby being done in.
The game today was an absolute disgrace and a Pens team responding to what the Philly team basically is. It was goons on ice today all round.
Everything from the team, to the announcers to the scoreboard theatrics and crowd in Philly is exciting bedlam and mayhem.
Entertaining I guess but little to do with hockey. We're back in the 70's with the broadstreet bullies ruling the roost.
The trouble is the serious slippery slope comes from here. If the NHL doesn't do something its strictly a game for bruisers only.
Bruins last year, Flyers now.
The NHL by deciding to allow games and strategies to be employed the way the Flyers do are basically stating that the Malkins and Crosbys no longer have a place in this league come playoff time.
Waaaaay too much Pens sympathy here. The 'goon' play went both ways. Pittsburgh got rattled by the chippiness and physical play of Philly. There isn't much more to it than that. Like Ferarro said, the Pens need to screw their helmets on straight and stay composed next game.
I'm a little confused as to why you think there's no room for Malkin and Crosby in the playoffs. They're two major contributors to the circus that is this series. Especially Crosby, who loves slashing more than anyone in the league and grabbing players then skating away. He got himself into crap this game, don't blame Philly for that. it's ludicrous to think skilled guys should get a free ride in the playoffs.
The NHL is still run by a league of idiots. With the playoff game getting to be such WWE mayhem that the skilled players in the game are done every playoffs if they don't play on a team with an army of support.
The NHL apparently wants this thuggery to rule the game but at the expense of players like Sidney Crosby being done in.
The game today was an absolute disgrace and a Pens team responding to what the Philly team basically is. It was goons on ice today all round.
Everything from the team, to the announcers to the scoreboard theatrics and crowd in Philly is exciting bedlam and mayhem.
Entertaining I guess but little to do with hockey. We're back in the 70's with the broadstreet bullies ruling the roost.
The trouble is the serious slippery slope comes from here. If the NHL doesn't do something its strictly a game for bruisers only.
Bruins last year, Flyers now.
The NHL by deciding to allow games and strategies to be employed the way the Flyers do are basically stating that the Malkins and Crosbys no longer have a place in this league come playoff time.
Oiler's are not even close to competing in this type of atmosphere in every series....I am fairly certain that our entire team would be listed as "Full Body Injury" by game 2
The NHL is still run by a league of idiots. With the playoff game getting to be such WWE mayhem that the skilled players in the game are done every playoffs if they don't play on a team with an army of support.
The NHL apparently wants this thuggery to rule the game but at the expense of players like Sidney Crosby being done in.
The game today was an absolute disgrace and a Pens team responding to what the Philly team basically is. It was goons on ice today all round.
Everything from the team, to the announcers to the scoreboard theatrics and crowd in Philly is exciting bedlam and mayhem.
Entertaining I guess but little to do with hockey. We're back in the 70's with the broadstreet bullies ruling the roost.
The trouble is the serious slippery slope comes from here. If the NHL doesn't do something its strictly a game for bruisers only.
Bruins last year, Flyers now.
The NHL by deciding to allow games and strategies to be employed the way the Flyers do are basically stating that the Malkins and Crosbys no longer have a place in this league come playoff time.
Today's thuggery was incited by Pittsburgh's inability to keep their cool. Asham, Neal, and Crosby made fools out of themselves.
I think it will probably be a while till we make the finals
But do you see the sedins, datsyuk, zetterberg etc etc throwing those hits either?
The key is players like harti. Also Hall and Yakupov are capable of throwing hits.
Amen, brother.
Hartski, Pitlick, Hamilton, etc. Big guys that can play are the key. However, you still need a few "Ned Bradens" too.
It's all about balance, and the Oilers do have some big forwards and defensemen coming up.
I am also confident that Eager will be a different player next year. I think the back issue really held him back. Hopefully he starts the year healthy.
The NHL is still run by a league of idiots. With the playoff game getting to be such WWE mayhem that the skilled players in the game are done every playoffs if they don't play on a team with an army of support.
The NHL apparently wants this thuggery to rule the game but at the expense of players like Sidney Crosby being done in.
The game today was an absolute disgrace and a Pens team responding to what the Philly team basically is. It was goons on ice today all round.
Everything from the team, to the announcers to the scoreboard theatrics and crowd in Philly is exciting bedlam and mayhem.
Entertaining I guess but little to do with hockey. We're back in the 70's with the broadstreet bullies ruling the roost.
The trouble is the serious slippery slope comes from here. If the NHL doesn't do something its strictly a game for bruisers only.
Bruins last year, Flyers now.
The NHL by deciding to allow games and strategies to be employed the way the Flyers do are basically stating that the Malkins and Crosbys no longer have a place in this league come playoff time.
Touche brother. That atmosphere was more fitting of a nazi war rally than a hockey game. It makes me sick to see this beautiful game turn into a gladiator competition. I hope parents don't let there kids watch this nonsense.
