Hey Guys
In the beginning of the season, Renney and Tambo both said the goal was to play in meaningful games around this time. We fell out of the playoff race months ago. And while our young players are progressing really well, a lot of us expect the Oilers to make the playoffs next year.
We have pretty much our entire D core, other than Barker and Peckham, signed through next year. Same with the goalies, Khabby and Dubnyk. How do we expect to make the playoffs next year with the same team that's 29th in the league right now?
Not trying to troll or anything, just a legitimate concern of mine. Being out of the playoffs for the last six years has been brutal.
There's a really good chance we won't see our 2012 first round selection in the NHL next year, especially if it's a D-man. Aside from that, guys like Hartkainnen, Paajarvi, Omark, Cornet, Teubert and Lander will all be looked upon as guys who could potentially steal opening day spots from other veterans.
The top 6 of this team is relatively set. Hall, Eberle RNH and now Hemsky have been identified as top 6 guys moving forward. Paajarvi is a question mark, but we all know he has a ton of upside. Gagner is also a big question mark in that nobody knows if his production is a bi-product of great chemistry with line mates, a step in the right direction or a fluke all together. Adding Grigorenko to the mix complicates the issue of whether or not Sam Gagner will be an Oiler come 2012-2013.
The bottom 6 is a huge crap shoot. In order to be successful next year, guys like Smyth and Horcoff NEED TO BE PLAYING BOTTOM 6 MINUTES. If this happens we will see vast improvement in this team's 5 on 5 play offensively. Like I alluded to earlier, Hartkainnen, Pitlick, Hamilton, Cornet and even Tryvanian have an outside shot at cracking this bottom 6 next year. All of them are big, physical guys with noses for the next. Lander and Pettrell are two guys who I'm pretty sure will both be on the team next year, playing similar minutes to this year, it's their spot to lose.
We have four legit d-men now. Whitney, Smid, Petry and Schultz. I'm excited to build around these guys. I see us following the Canucks mould of having a very strong core with no real heads or tails A1 guy. Hopefully we can flip Gags for another top 4 guy in his late 20s or sign a veteran free agent. I think Klefbom and Musil are a couple years away while Marincin, Gernat, Davidson and Blaine are all long term experiments.
All in all as younger guys develop we'll see a phase forwards for this team next season. Some vets will slide back as younger guys begin to take brunt of the offensive minutes for this team. I think that, rather than adding new talent, aside from Grig or Yak, maybe, will be the difference going into next year. The playoffs are not certain, but the team surely does have a shot and should be in the mix come March 2013. Lot's of guys have taken steps in the right direction this year, I think it'll definitely translate into a more successful season next year as this team's identity begins to shape.
I'm hoping for a couple things to be honest
1-coaching change. When we played St. Louis yesterday, you could actually see a system that they played, and the support they had. We always seem to be running around the defensive zone.
2- Whitney and Hemsky being 100%. Right now, Whitney's footspeed and ability to turn quickly aren't too good, he's playing through his injury because its pain free. I hope he corrects the issue in the offseason. With Hemsky, he came back a few games into the season. I'm guessing he didn't have a chance to work his shoulders out and strengthen them, so they're still pretty weak. Once he has a full summer of strengthening his shoulders, he should be good next year.
3- Watching Schultz last game, it was clear that he's the type of DMan this needs. Granted, its only one game. But, all of Smid, Gilbert and Petry have been brought up in the Oilers' system the last few years, and Schultz just plays the game with calm. He doesn't run around the zone or lose coverage, something our guys can take advantage of.
A few things need to happen for us to at least be competitive next year, first off we need to not have injury problems especially the young forwards. We need a strong puck moving defenseman and every game petry is starting to impress me to be this guy. We need to acquire a new goalie and/or dubnyk has to somehow show he's the guy. Come this time next year and we are still in or around this position we are this year I'm going to be pretty mad. I'm craving some playoff or at least meaningful hockey
I think they will add a top 4 Dman to push Petry out of there. It would be nice to have him play another year in the AHL before he makes the jump to a full time NHL spot. Although he does have to clear waiver right? I just don't think he is a #4 guy yet. Its in him but not next year.
When they trade Gagner why didn't they get anything back? WHy not put Gager in on the first Line LW instead of PRV? PRV isn't ready for that, at least he hasn't proven it. He might be the odd man out again next season.
I've said it all year. This year was a little bit of an experiment. See what we have kind of thing. Next year they are playing for keeps. They need to start winning next season or this team is going to end up costing too much money before it has a chance to win. This season the Wins didn't really matter, all that really mattered was growth, Next year they do. They need to at least be in the playoff picture come April, no matter how many injuries they go through.
I think they will add a top 4 Dman to push Petry out of there. It would be nice to have him play another year in the AHL before he makes the jump to a full time NHL spot. Although he does have to clear waiver right? I just don't think he is a #4 guy yet. Its in him but not next year.
When they trade Gagner why didn't they get anything back? WHy not put Gager in on the first Line LW instead of PRV? PRV isn't ready for that, at least he hasn't proven it. He might be the odd man out again next season.
I've said it all year. This year was a little bit of an experiment. See what we have kind of thing. Next year they are playing for keeps. They need to start winning next season or this team is going to end up costing too much money before it has a chance to win. This season the Wins didn't really matter, all that really mattered was growth, Next year they do. They need to at least be in the playoff picture come April, no matter how many injuries they go through.
Well I think he would have to clear waivers first right? At least I heard that somewhere I think. So he won't be sent down.
He doesn't need to go to the farm, but I think it would help his development if he could spend another there. I don't think he is ready to be a top 4 guy just yet. Not if you want this team to be in the hunt for a playoff spot next season.
Well I think he would have to clear waivers first right? At least I heard that somewhere I think. So he won't be sent down.
He doesn't need to go to the farm, but I think it would help his development if he could spend another there. I don't think he is ready to be a top 4 guy just yet. Not if you want this team to be in the hunt for a playoff spot next season.
I disagree. Petry is more than capable right now. He's leading our team in minutes every night and minus the occasional rookie mistake, he's been a stud. There's nothing more he can learn in the AHL
I disagree. Petry is more than capable right now. He's leading our team in minutes every night and minus the occasional rookie mistake, he's been a stud. There's nothing more he can learn in the AHL
Agreed, everything he needs to learn now can be better experienced at the NHL level. Frankly, I would like to see him on the ice for 30 minutes on some nights. Sending him to the AHL seems crazy.
If we draft Grigorenko I think he'll spend one more year in the minors unless Edmonton finds a deal to make with another team that ships Gagner + Whitney/Sutton out for another d-man.
If we draft Murray our forwards will be a mess. Really gotta look at how often Magnus puts the puck in the net when the Barrons go the playoffs and I'll have my mind made up over him being on our second line next year. If he starts putting the puck in the net I could see MPS-Gagner-Hemsky as our second line next year.
If Magnus doesn't make the cut for a top 6 position... our top six will be messy and I won'd expect to see Hall together with Eberle or Hopkins.
Our draft pick can play another year of junior. Petry can move up the lineup when the inevitable Whitney injury happens. I'm not ready to hand him the reigns yet.
Last edited by OilerTyler: 03-02-2012 at 01:38 AM.
Agreed, everything he needs to learn now can be better experienced at the NHL level. Frankly, I would like to see him on the ice for 30 minutes on some nights. Sending him to the AHL seems crazy.
Exactly. His main issue right now seems to be his decision making with the puck. He'll get better with a full speed NHL game rather than against a bunch of second rate players where he has all the time in the world.
To be competitive next year, I think they need to add at least two competent, veteran players to the roster. They don't have to be in their 30s by any stretch but they have to be useful NHLers with experience. My preference is a checking line winger and a top-4 d, but another useful goalie could only help.
New goalie, new coach, one more solid puck moving D added to the club whether from the draft or via trade/FA etc. Hopefully on top of this guys like Lander, Paajarvi, and Gagner have breakout seasons. As much as Gagner has improved in some areas of his game, his offensive consistency could use a boost.
__________________ Treat Others As You Would Like To Be Treated
Draft Grigorenko to give Eberle a playmaker
Draft Henrik Samuelsson, 6'2 and still growing, big frame, physical, dirty(Oilers need one of these guys), can skate, R-hand center.
Draft Andrey Makarov
Trade Gagner+ for Gormley
Offer $2M to Penner for a year. Since his marriage is over, he can go back to playing serious hockey again. Can also protect the kids.
Leave MPS and Lander in the OKC until they are put some meat on their frame and are ready to produce.
Smid-Petry
Schultz-Gormley(upgrade over Barker)
Whitney-Sutton/Potter/Teubert
The problem with this year is no one play their roles. Veterans like Smyth, Horc, Belanger still think they are top 6 players which they are not. Give them bottom 6 minutes and play their game properly.
Everyone knows and plays their roles accordingly. Start the season with this roster and chase for the playoffs. Finish 10-15th. That's fine. We can live with that. Better than being in the lotto.
Give the league an exciting brand of hockey.
Exactly. His main issue right now seems to be his decision making with the puck. He'll get better with a full speed NHL game rather than against a bunch of second rate players where he has all the time in the world.
To be honest I haven't really seen a lot of games in their entirety recently, so maybe I've missed Petry come into his own and playing a good complete game night in and night out.
From what i've seen I really like what what he brings but I'm not sure Petry as a top 4 dman gives you a winning team next year. Maybe he starts as a 5-7 kind of guy who gets PP time and jumps up the lineup when there are injuries. He could be given every opportunity to jump up the d pairings with good play, and back down again with poor play.
Lets face it, this off season is when Tambo will have to actually start making tough decisions. To me this summer marks the end of the rebuild and the start of setting a solid foundation for years to come. This summer it actually starts to be about winning and not building and developing.
TRADE: We have too many forwards, Phoenix has too many d-men. Sam Gagner + Theo Peckham for Rostislav Klesla + Brandon Gormley. Their center position rounds out, we get Gormley. Klesla evens out the salaries, they get Peckham on top of that.
TRADE: Belanger to Montreal for prospect.
SIGN: Tomas Vokoun 2 years/$4.25 mill per.
TRADE: Nik Khabibulin to Winnipeg for low pick.
MPS RNH Eberle
Hall Grigorenko Hemsky
Smyth Horcoff Jones
Eager Lander Hartikanen
Whitney Schultz
Smid Klesla
Petry Sutton
Potter
Vokoun
Dubnyk
Starting to look like a real NHL squad. You have Gormley, Teubert, Marincin, Musil, etc. still coming on up the D-corps.
TRADE: We have too many forwards, Phoenix has too many d-men. Sam Gagner + Theo Peckham for Rostislav Klesla + Brandon Gormley. Their center position rounds out, we get Gormley. Klesla evens out the salaries, they get Peckham on top of that.
TRADE: Belanger to Montreal for prospect.
SIGN: Tomas Vokoun 2 years/$4.25 mill per.
TRADE: Nik Khabibulin to Winnipeg for low pick.
MPS RNH Eberle
Hall Grigorenko Hemsky
Smyth Horcoff Jones
Eager Lander Hartikanen
Whitney Schultz
Smid Klesla
Petry Sutton
Potter
Vokoun
Dubnyk
Starting to look like a real NHL squad. You have Gormley, Teubert, Marincin, Musil, etc. still coming on up the D-corps.
If MTL finishes 2nd last and wins the lotto. I can see Columbus passing Grigorenko. But if Cls picks 1st, they will definitely take Yakupov.
Schultz-Dumba/Murray
Smid-Petry
Sutton-Whitney
Potter
Khabby
Dubnyk
I wouldn't mind going after Josh Harding, if he's available.
I'm not comfortable with Russians on this team, especially someone like Grigorenko, scouts have already question his character and compete level.:
I don't believe that to be true one bit. That was by one scout and who knows what his true intentions are. Also, Grigorenko has been taking English 5 days a week and has been speaking English very well for a span of 6 months. If anything, that says lots about his character. Just shows he's determine to reach his goals. With that said, Grigorenko is playing with an ankle injury. I also suffered a high ankle injury and it's a ***** to play with. If he's on board when we pick, no question ask we take him.
:
