In response to this thread, I would like to say that I am extremely excited. Seeing Justin Schultz linked with the Oilers still has me in wonder. Yakupov was a gift who we will absolutely adore. This summer has been great but I can't wait for hockey to begin again.
Which in turn forces Horcoff and Belanger to play far too many minutes in important situations.
Which would make the team worse.
Horcoff wasn't even 50% in faceoffs last year, and both players were timid and passive in puck battles and retrevial all year. The over-playing of poorly performing players in an effort to over-compensate for percieved faceoff weakness plagued this team all of last year, rather not see it repeated.
I am happy with the offseason so far. I really thought we were going to screw up the Yakupov pick and miss out on Schultz. Instead we got 2 big pieces for the future. While they may not get us into the playoffs this year, they will be big parts of getting us there down the road.
Would I have liked another top 4 D? Sure, of course, who wouldn't? But if the asking price for those kind of guys included one of the big 4, I am glad we sat tight. If HF is in any way accurate(long shot, I know) and near any halfway decent D did require one of the big 4, and nothing less, then we're better off with passing. We have a number of promising kids coming up the D ranks, and there will always be more trade and FA opportunities in the future. No point in selling off valuable pieces now when we could trade lesser pieces down the road, who will look better later playing with our big 4. And as we improve more and more, UFAs will start to listen to our offers. Eventually someone will probably sign.
It would be good for us to remember that our team is led by kids, who will get better as they age. So for us, doing nothing but waiting can be an improvement. Just because we only added 2 rookies, doesn't mean we still can't jump up(points-wise) in the standings. We did this last season by "only" adding a skinny 18yo rookie and a handful of mostly negative pieces.
I am happy with the offseason so far. I really thought we were going to screw up the Yakupov pick and miss out on Schultz. Instead we got 2 big pieces for the future. While they may not get us into the playoffs this year, they will be big parts of getting us there down the road.
Would I have liked another top 4 D? Sure, of course, who wouldn't? But if the asking price for those kind of guys included one of the big 4, I am glad we sat tight. If HF is in any way accurate(long shot, I know) and near any halfway decent D did require one of the big 4, and nothing less, then we're better off with passing. We have a number of promising kids coming up the D ranks, and there will always be more trade and FA opportunities in the future. No point in selling off valuable pieces now when we could trade lesser pieces down the road, who will look better later playing with our big 4. And as we improve more and more, UFAs will start to listen to our offers. Eventually someone will probably sign.
It would be good for us to remember that our team is led by kids, who will get better as they age. So for us, doing nothing but waiting can be an improvement. Just because we only added 2 rookies, doesn't mean we still can't jump up(points-wise) in the standings. We did this last season by "only" adding a skinny 18yo rookie and a handful of mostly negative pieces.
I agree with this. Slow but steady organic growth over the long term beats going out and making a splash ala the Flames to try and wedge the team into the playoffs.
This core group is going to feel a lot of accomplishment developing and improving together towards the goal of making the playoffs and becoming perennial contenders.
That doesn't mean solid a piece or two can't be added... but I agree... definitely do not trade any core pieces away just to speed up that organic process that's already underway.
Oddly enough Tambo's dithering, patience and over evaluating tendencies are an asset at this point of the rebuild.
As for another Dman - why not someone like Pavel Kubina? Huge bruising guy that played some pretty tough competition last year. He just turned 35. 6'4", 258lbs, RH shot, some decent offense to his game. He's lost a step, but I think he would still be a decent option as a 3rd pairing guy, certainly would make the group a bit bigger and tougher.
Or Roszival? Not as big and certainly not as physical, but definitely a better all around dman. Good offense, can play the tough minutes, and is only 33 (going to be 34 in Sept). I'd be fine with a 2-3 year deal for him, though I'm guessing he's probably looking for a retirement deal at this point, and probably for a lot more than I'd be comfortable paying.
As for another Dman - why not someone like Pavel Kubina? Huge bruising guy that played some pretty tough competition last year. He just turned 35. 6'4", 258lbs, RH shot, some decent offense to his game. He's lost a step, but I think he would still be a decent option as a 3rd pairing guy, certainly would make the group a bit bigger and tougher.
Or Roszival? Not as big and certainly not as physical, but definitely a better all around dman. Good offense, can play the tough minutes, and is only 33 (going to be 34 in Sept). I'd be fine with a 2-3 year deal for him, though I'm guessing he's probably looking for a retirement deal at this point, and probably for a lot more than I'd be comfortable paying.
We're going to see some incredible goals this year and possibly the best PP of the last several seasons.
It will be exciting if nothing else.
That's all I'm expecting as well. When this team is healthy, they should be the fastest, most exciting team to watch in the NHL, outside of the very top teams like Philly, Pittsburgh, Boston, maybe Vancouver.
Last year I thought we'd get periods of hockey where the Oilers would just come at the other team in waves. We didn't get that too often, hopefully this year we will.
We're going to see some incredible goals this year and possibly the best PP of the last several seasons.
It will be exciting if nothing else.
I think with all the firepower the Oilers have gathered, they could very well be hitting over 25% on the powerplay (70-80 goals). That's just it though, I don't know how the league will be when it comes to PP opportunities next season, but let's just hope that officiating we had last mid-season was just a test?
It's the even strength game we need to worry about to be honest. I think the special teams will be fine.
if there is another season long lockout, we will still be ranked at the bottom of league. good chance at another top 5 pick. but im stoked to see the talent gathered in last few years with this management group. night and day difference in the defencive prospects in the system.
I am happy with the offseason so far. I really thought we were going to screw up the Yakupov pick and miss out on Schultz. Instead we got 2 big pieces for the future. While they may not get us into the playoffs this year, they will be big parts of getting us there down the road.
Would I have liked another top 4 D? Sure, of course, who wouldn't? But if the asking price for those kind of guys included one of the big 4, I am glad we sat tight. If HF is in any way accurate(long shot, I know) and near any halfway decent D did require one of the big 4, and nothing less, then we're better off with passing. We have a number of promising kids coming up the D ranks, and there will always be more trade and FA opportunities in the future. No point in selling off valuable pieces now when we could trade lesser pieces down the road, who will look better later playing with our big 4. And as we improve more and more, UFAs will start to listen to our offers. Eventually someone will probably sign.
It would be good for us to remember that our team is led by kids, who will get better as they age. So for us, doing nothing but waiting can be an improvement. Just because we only added 2 rookies, doesn't mean we still can't jump up(points-wise) in the standings. We did this last season by "only" adding a skinny 18yo rookie and a handful of mostly negative pieces.
Solid glass half full points. But that, imo, is no excuse for placing one's feet on their desk and feeling satisfied with one's self. As the competition have improved themselves, with the current lineup, another lottery pick is more likely then not.
Solid glass half full points. But that, imo, is no excuse for placing one's feet on their desk and feeling satisfied with one's self. As the competition have improved themselves, with the current lineup, another lottery pick is more likely then not.
No debate that Tambo should be working the phones and looking for another top 4 D(btw, I am still liking the Rozsival idea, if he'd sign here). All I am saying is that he shouldn't be too hasty with moving good pieces right now. Especially when it's likely that we have pieces that will increase their trade value during this coming season. What if Hemsky has a bounce back year feeding Yakupov, now that he's fully healed? Why move Eberle for a Yandle type now, when we might be able to get a similar level of D with Hemsky as the big piece closer to the deadline?
Our goal is the Cup. Not just the playoffs. I am sure Tambo could trade Eberle for a top pairing D right now, and we'd probably make the playoffs this season. But we wouldn't win the Cup, and we'd decrease our chances of winning it in the future by making such a move. The crappiest part of a scorched earth rebuild is the waiting for the kids to mature. Everyone wants us to make the playoffs asap, but it's smarter for us to be patient for right now, imo.
Although I don't think we're a lottery team this year without massive injuries; I think we'll be picking in the 8-12 range next draft. So perhaps I am just more optimistic than some.
The idea that elite skill gets "wrecked" by checking lines is a myth perpetuated by the jealous.
Our top 6 is young and will make mistakes under pressure but the only thing that is going to fix that is experience.
agreed. and like ken holland says: our powerplay is our enforcer. now hopefully the oilers can make teams scared to take liberties knowing that they're gonna get lit up by the oil on the powerplay.
that being said, every NHL teams need players with grit, but that grit doesn't necessarily have to be in the top 6 for a team to be successful.
i for one am pretty pleased with the offseason so far, i would rather this team grow through experience than bring in some mediocre players who may or may not gel with the core, just for the sake of making moves.
I think the best thing Tambologna has done his entire tenure has been staying mostly out of this free agent off season. Last thing i want him to do is sign some undeserving player to an absurd contract takes a spot away from a potentially great prospect like Klefbom.
well done. 
