Don't know why people are losing their minds. Times are tough considering we are missing three veterans in Horcoff, Belanger, and Ryan Jones. Yes we are not scoring goals but at least we are in contention every game. These are the growing pains of a young team. I'm not surprised with our recent performances. Younger players are consistent at one thing and that's inconsistency.
Don't know why people are losing their minds. Times are tough considering we are missing three veterans in Horcoff, Belanger, and Ryan Jones. Yes we are not scoring goals but at least we are in contention every game. These are the growing pains of a young team. I'm not surprised with our recent performances. Younger players are consistent at one thing and that's inconsistency.
Rational thought is not appreciated on these boards. Good day to you sir.
One area where management has failed this year is adding an elite respected veteran. Reason why Detroit organization has been successful is that they've had elite players like Stevie Y, Lidstrom, Federov mentoring younger players like the Datysuk and Zetterberg. Now its Datysuk and Zetterbergs who are mentoring Flippula and Brunner. Key is there consistent mentoring going on.
Our mentors aka Horcoff, and Smyth can only relate so much to our young kids because they lack that elite level talent. Advice coming from Horcs compared to Stevie Y is taken differently due to the greatness of accomplishments of one to the other. Its been a real long time since we have had such elite veterans but doesn't stop you from adding via UFA.
My point being it would have been nice if Tambo would of added Jagr this offseason. Would of gave us three solid lines but more importantly a future HHOF that our elite talents could learn from.
Messages gets across a lot better when its coming from a veteran such as Jagr. Or when you see Jagr respect his coach, training staff... etc. It teaches the kids the professionalism that it takes to acheieve success. Ales Hemsky might be the last guy off the ice with a veteran like Jagr, because I could see Jagr challenging him to be better. Taylor Hall might learn less is more, pass and move, let the puck do the work. Nugent-Hopkins may realize the value of getting pucks to the net.
Its something management should be looking to address. Winning is contagious. Comes from players that have been succesful.
I believe the pundits picked the oils to make the playoffs because of the quality of their competition. I don't think anyone expected Anaheim to be tied for the lead in pacific 10 game in. At the same time I doubt many would have thought LA would struggle like they are coming out of the gate.
So from the teams which are expected to duke it out for 7th and 8th spots, I can see why many thought oilers would make the playoffs.
I personally like Nashville and Dallas from that group. However you can see why many felt oilers would contend for a playoff spot. Which by the way is a race they are still in.
One area where management has failed this year is adding an elite respected veteran. Reason why Detroit organization has been successful is that they've had elite players like Stevie Y, Lidstrom, Federov mentoring younger players like the Datysuk and Zetterberg. Now its Datysuk and Zetterbergs who are mentoring Flippula and Brunner. Key is there consistent mentoring going on.
Our mentors aka Horcoff, and Smyth can only relate so much to our young kids because they lack that elite level talent. Advice coming from Horcs compared to Stevie Y is taken differently due to the greatness of accomplishments of one to the other. Its been a real long time since we have had such elite veterans but doesn't stop you from adding via UFA.
My point being it would have been nice if Tambo would of added Jagr this offseason. Would of gave us three solid lines but more importantly a future HHOF that our elite talents could learn from.
Messages gets across a lot better when its coming from a veteran such as Jagr. Or when you see Jagr respect his coach, training staff... etc. It teaches the kids the professionalism that it takes to acheieve success. Ales Hemsky might be the last guy off the ice with a veteran like Jagr, because I could see Jagr challenging him to be better. Taylor Hall might learn less is more, pass and move, let the puck do the work. Nugent-Hopkins may realize the value of getting pucks to the net.
Its something management should be looking to address. Winning is contagious. Comes from players that have been succesful.
We tried signing Jagr once already and he decided that Russia would be preferable.
One thing I will say and I kinda hate to say it, but if the Oilers are not in serious playoff contention in say 12-15 games, and RNH's shoulder is still not 100%, I think you shut him down and get the surgery on the shoulder if that's what the docs are saying.
Better to have him 100% for next year than pointlessly putting off surgery for next summer.
Play Hall at center for the last 20+ games if need be. Might as well try that experiment now too.
People need to sit back and ask themselves this question. When the oldest player in your top 6 is 28 and the next oldest is 22, exactly how much are you really expecting out of them? I want the team to win just as bad as anyone else, but I also don't want the panic of the fans to force the hand on a trade that could trade in a strong future for this team, for some short term minor success.
At least this year we know better to keep our mouths shut after a couple of decent games, but I'm getting tired of the media gushing about the "young talented Oilers".
People need to sit back and ask themselves this question. When the oldest player in your top 6 is 28 and the next oldest is 22, exactly how much are you really expecting out of them? I want the team to win just as bad as anyone else, but I also don't want the panic of the fans to force the hand on a trade that could trade in a strong future for this team, for some short term minor success.
The sad part about that is the 28/29 year old probably has the lowest or second lowest hockey IQ of the top six.
The sad part about that is the 28/29 year old probably has the lowest or second lowest hockey IQ of the top six.
It's unfortunate, but even though all 5 of the other guys in the top 6 will be better then Hemmer at some point in their careers, he still plays the NHL game better than all but Eberle and Nuge.
At least this year we know better to keep our mouths shut after a couple of decent games, but I'm getting tired of the media gushing about the "young talented Oilers".
I've said for years that Kevin Lowe must slip members of the media a $50 spot for every time they mention young and Oilers in the same sentence.
Bull. Look at the performance of hall eberle hopkins the addition of Schultz, gagner playing better. If we as fans don't expect the team to be much better than last year then as a group we should be calling for the heads of management that 2 years ago bleated that 'we will not be contention for a high pick again.'
They'll be better, they already are. Failing to improve this year would be a bigger abomination than the last 5 years combined. However, they're not gonna be better to the extent of jumping 6 (or more) spots in the conference, like a lot of the national media and betting public thought just weeks ago.
Quote:
Originally Posted by AlowlyOilersfan
With Yakupov, I was hoping for maybe an extra goal from the second line per game.
And to be fair, we've actually gotten some of that.
