Sutton is done and Peckman has no consistency. To a tough stay at home guy woul be nice as well as a true to 2 guy. Whitney I don't even count anymore.
The forwards need size.....hello VV and Hartikainen....
Dubnyk has lots of question marks and there is no plan B.
Edit: our bottom six needs hard hitting nasty sobs. Smyth, Hemsky, Belanger, Eager, Horcoff...way to much money and not enough of what we need in the bottom six. Belanger I would keep for PK, but if we are expecting these guys to step up and be physical and protect the kids, we're pooched.
Sutton is done and Peckman has no consistency. To a tough stay at home guy woul be nice as well as a true to 2 guy. Whitney I don't even count anymore.
The forwards need size.....hello VV and Hartikainen....
Dubnyk has lots of question marks and there is no plan B.
Edit: our bottom six needs hard hitting nasty sobs. Smyth, Hemsky, Belanger, Eager, Horcoff...way to much money and not enough of what we need in the bottom six. Belanger I would keep for PK, but if we are expecting these guys to step up and be physical and protect the kids, we're pooched.
Harski yes, Vande Velde IMO isn't good enough on draws, fast enough, or physical enough to play a key role for our club.
__________________ Treat Others As You Would Like To Be Treated
The teams biggest issue is getting the AHL players off of the NHL team. AHL players bring the whole team down, making everyone around them worse. Where did this team ice the most AHL talent last year and will again this year? The blueline.
As much as a two-way, tough as nails, big, skilled centre will help us win a cup, we are not challenging for a Stanley Cup this year, and never will come close with AHL players on the blueline.
I'm not sold on Dubnyk yet, but I'm not willing to say he isn't the answer in net either. He could go either way. The last few cups have been won with elite goaltending, but prior to that, sometimes just okay goaltending was good enough. Goalies can get hot and cold during a season, in the playoffs, and from year to year.
The teams biggest issue is getting the AHL players off of the NHL team. AHL players bring the whole team down, making everyone around them worse. Where did this team ice the most AHL talent last year and will again this year? The blueline.
As much as a two-way, tough as nails, big, skilled centre will help us win a cup, we are not challenging for a Stanley Cup this year, and never will come close with AHL players on the blueline.
I'm not sold on Dubnyk yet, but I'm not willing to say he isn't the answer in net either. He could go either way. The last few cups have been won with elite goaltending, but prior to that, sometimes just okay goaltending was good enough. Goalies can get hot and cold during a season, in the playoffs, and from year to year.
Agreed on Dubnyk. We need some solid blue line vets. Another guy like Schultz with more edge would be nice. An option in goal other than Khabbi too. That big centreman would be nice too.
You are right about AHL guys. Tough thing is we have lots of kids that need to play.
Edmonton also needs an on ice leader. A kid who'll lead by example, he works the hardest and sees results during the games. They need to practice at gamepace, not at 90% like virtually all of the current group. How many times have we seen the Oilers opponents let then stick around till the third period, then they turn it up a notch and leave Rexall with 2 pts. It's no surprise they can't match them during games with their current practice habits.
Edmonton also needs an on ice leader. A kid who'll lead by example, he works the hardest and sees results during the games. They need to practice at gamepace, not at 90% like virtually all of the current group. How many times have we seen the Oilers opponents let then stick around till the third period, then they turn it up a notch and leave Rexall with 2 pts. It's no surprise they can't match them during games with their current practice habits.
Part of that problem is guys like Smyth, Horcoff and Hemsky. They are the issue for a culture change IMHO.
The biggest need is a stud goalie who can bail out this team when they have defensive breakdowns and also gives the young forwards confidence in the offensive zone knowing they have someone back there to bail them out if needed. If we had Lundqvist in net this team could be a dark horse contender....
1. Physical Top 4 Defensman (Coburn)
2. Top six C with Size (Hanzal)
3. Goaltending depth (Someone to push Dubnyk) (Enroth)
4. Bottom Sixers that can play physical (Neil, Tootoo)
Hartikainen - Nugent Hopkins - Yakupov
Hall - Hanzal - Eberle Neil - Horcoff - Paajarvi Tootoo - Lander - Jones
1. Physical Top 4 Defensman (Coburn)
2. Top six C with Size (Hanzal)
3. Goaltending depth (Someone to push Dubnyk) (Enroth)
4. Bottom Sixers that can play physical (Neil, Tootoo)
Hartikainen - Nugent Hopkins - Yakupov
Hall - Hanzal - Eberle Neil - Horcoff - Paajarvi Tootoo - Lander - Jones
Tootoo is close to two years sober. He was a fan favorite in Nashville because he was actively involved in the community.
He is no longer like Eberle or Hall, both of whom could be found at Oil City each Saturday night the Oilers were in town.
Well maybe playing with a bunch of young stars could be dangerous for Tootoo. I'm sure they'll be partying pretty hard, they might be the bad influence on him.
Anyway, everyone seems to know what we need. We need gritty players that can actually contribute something aside from just being gritty. Guys that can play tough and score, or at least kill penalties.
Aside from that, yea could use a legit #1 goalie and #1 dman. Most teams out there could say the same.
Part of that problem is guys like Smyth, Horcoff and Hemsky. They are the issue for a culture change IMHO.
horcoff yes. hemsky to a degree, maybe, although I doubt it, and while he is no spring chicken he's still in his 20's. Besides, if the thing holding this team back from having success and going through a positive "culture change" is based around 1 or 2 players' attitudes/mindsets etc., then the Oilers have much bigger problems. Get rid of Horcoff ASAP, no question, he is an awful captain and quite frankly a disgrace to the Oilers, and I'll admit he's a big part of some problem, but Hemsky and Smyth? I wouldn't believe for them to be bad influence or holding the team back at all.
