I think I had a completely different moment of realization this summer.
I was pretty disappointed the team didn't bring in more of a veteran presence, specifically on the back end. But recently it came to me that by not bringing in new established players, Tambelini and co. have put the emphasis on the players they have. Time for the team to step up and win, the team is full of guys who want to win, players like Hall and Gagner have been vocal about it. Big year coming up.
I do see us improving quite a bit this season. We will still miss the playoffs but we are now on our way. We have players that will be ready to play two seasons from now. Players like Harti and Pitlick will add some size to our team and make it more difficult for other teams to play against us.
I think that Jones will not be resigned next year and then Smyth will be finished after his contract. That will give plenty of time to properly develop our kids in the minors. Then Horc will be finished the following year.
This thread is not about us becoming better NEXT SEASON but about us landing 2 great players for the next 5+ yrs.
Also, did we not look better when we injected 2 rookies in Hall and Ebs? Adding Yakupov and Schultz could be just as good.
There are still holes to fill in order to get into playoffs but that does not mean we shouldnt be excited with adding these 2 players.
I get it, but you have to have great goaltending, which I do not think we do, and you need solid vets , which seems very suspect to me. I agree those two guys will be great, but I won't be handing out a gold star based on the fact that our goaltending is questionable and so is the bottom six.
I get it, but you have to have great goaltending, which I do not think we do, and you need solid vets , which seems very suspect to me. I agree those two guys will be great, but I won't be handing out a gold star based on the fact that our goaltending is questionable and so is the bottom six.
once again... valid points ..but wrong thread.
This is not about how our GM has done this offseason or Gagner's faceoff% or goaltending.. This is about Justin friggin Schultz choosing EDM out of all the teams AND us landing Nail friggin Yakupov. 18.8%
injecting Yakupov+Schultz into our lineup could be as good as when we brought in the Hall-Eberle combo is rooks.
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.
Just imagine getting Mackinnon or Jones and also having a dispersal draft with Phoenix and get Yandle or Ekman-Larsson.
That's like planets aligning sort of wizardry. We would be the most hated team in the lig.
Why do you think we signed Potter? 18.8% + J.Schultz was no luck
The Hall fall was no flukey incident either. Try to mess with the greater plan and you will get stomped!!
The Oilers would have very poor chances of selecting high if there was a lockout. After the last one the teams teams that either made the playoffs or drafted first overall in the last three years lost a ball. So the Oilers would only have one ball considering they've drafted first three years in a row.
The Oilers would have very poor chances of selecting high if there was a lockout. After the last one the teams teams that either made the playoffs or drafted first overall in the last three years lost a ball. So the Oilers would only have one ball considering they've drafted first three years in a row.
This.
If you are open to a lockout because you think it benefits the Oilers more than most teams then you are not a hockey fan. Maybe a fan of posting on an internet forum ABOUT hockey...but not a hockey fan.
