ilers ruining more young careers

[Wickabee]

I'm not offended, and I don't know why you're getting so worked up about it. And yes, I 100% get what you're saying, comparing their roles on the team to the roles played by the various superstars of the 80's Oilers. I just don't think it's fair to compare ANY team to that team, excluding the early 90s Penguins team. Maybe a comparison to the 1997 Wings is a better speculative comparison (if we're comparing only players and not players+age).

They get compared to the 80s Oilers because they're Oilers and there are distinct similarities in the teams. Sorry if you don't like it, but you're trying to tell me I'm saying RNH is as good as Gretzky and that's not what I'm saying. They're similar teams, that's all.

As for Eberle, we in the US don't get the chance to see these kids as they play their careers. You obviously as closely associated with amateur hockey and I'm glad for you, you're very privileged in that respect, to be able to see those kids as they develop. However, Eberle was the one played who I started to follow after his heroics and near-heroics in back-to-back WJCs (btw, John Carlson is a hero). Of all of the current Oilers, he's the one I'd want on the ice if I need a goal to win a playoff game with under a minute left. He's fast, he's got a great finish, and he seems to know how to always be in the right spot. For some reason, I've watched RNH and I just am not impressed. I don't know why, and I know his stats are different, but he just doesn't do it for me. Hall, to me, is a very very good player, and I think a solid comparison could be Toews. My only problem with Schultz is that, as well as he's performed so far in his brief pro career, I just would like to see him do it for at least 1 full NHL season to see how he handles the rigors. But yes, if we're talking pure speculation, then I guess RNH, Hall, Eberle, and Yakupov could all end up in the top 20 all-time scorers.

The way RNH glides around does remind me of Gretzky. He just knows where to go and heads there. He can't bang and crash like Hall insist on hurting himself doing, he's got a decent shot but isn't the sniper that Eberle is. You're going to see a lot of "RNH to Eberle shot, save rebound Hall puts it in", you know, the odd time that Eberle doesn't score.

As for Schultz, I totally get that. When he was picking what team to sign with everyone was saying "Why are they going nuts over this kid. He hasn't even played a game yet" and I totally get that. I've been watching him play since he was 8 or so. Just give him a little time. You think he's playing well now, wait until his defensive game catches up to the NHL a little more. You really have seen nothing from this kid. If he stays healthy and focussed, you've got a future HoFer on your hands.

[Estovia]

Where's the power forward?
Where's the faceoff specialist for puck possession?
Where's the Norris type stay at home D-man?
Where's the goalie?

Um.. yeah. Buffalo tried that kind of setup. (Aside from A Norris contender, all we had was a Calder winner) and it didn't & hasn't worked.

It takes way too many things working in unison for a team to be a real winner, a contender, and a champion, to sit down and say "We wasted the 1st pick in all of the last 4 drafts by taking the best player available." Just because they aren't crushing the league.

From my Buffalo perspective... fans have to accept one of two things when you team is in this kind of position - you can either drop everything and make a 1 or 2 year run then go on a 10 year playoff drought, or you can look at the big picture and say "if they do it right, this team will be a contender in 2, 3, 4 years."

Edmonton is running almost a parallel track to Pittsburgh's rise, and there's really no reason to derail that process at this point. Now if someone would just let Kevin Lowe know that before he throws around any more offer sheets....

[centrehice]

comparisons aside. Where is the Huddy, Lowe, Gregg and Don Jackson on this team? Let alone the character pluggers like Dave Hunter, Lumley, etc. If those character types were on this team they'd be winning

Yes, they could use a character guy, but not a bunch of Thumbers. BTW, Charlie Huddy was a Bum and Kevin Slowe was severly overrated. I can't believe some people want to put him in the HOF.

The Oilers dysnasty team did not play defense, Coffey was a Red Line Rosy and spent his Oiler career in the other team's end.

The Oliers over under was always over 3 goals against, and not because Fuhr could not stop the puck, it was because they had lousy defensemen, and could always count on the big guns to get them a 6-5 win.

[rustyisin]

except there is no Crosby or Malkin here (Pittsburgh example)

FYI, the last team to have 3 straight !st overall picks was Quebec...and the year following their third pick they won 47 games.
Oilers are definitely NOT following those two examples.

Eberle, Hall and Nugent-Hopkins are all taking steps back this year, not forward.
Gagner and Yakupov are pluses.
Dubnyk is plus
Ryan Smyth should retire.
Get rid of Horcoff

Um.. yeah. Buffalo tried that kind of setup. (Aside from A Norris contender, all we had was a Calder winner) and it didn't & hasn't worked.

It takes way too many things working in unison for a team to be a real winner, a contender, and a champion, to sit down and say "We wasted the 1st pick in all of the last 4 drafts by taking the best player available." Just because they aren't crushing the league.

From my Buffalo perspective... fans have to accept one of two things when you team is in this kind of position - you can either drop everything and make a 1 or 2 year run then go on a 10 year playoff drought, or you can look at the big picture and say "if they do it right, this team will be a contender in 2, 3, 4 years."

Edmonton is running almost a parallel track to Pittsburgh's rise, and there's really no reason to derail that process at this point. Now if someone would just let Kevin Lowe know that before he throws around any more offer sheets....

[Wickabee]

I love how adjusting to a new coach and more new players gets called "a step back".

I also love how many people on these boards are willing to call a guy a failure after one or two seasons. Anyone remember Stamkos' first season?

Basically, I'm seeing fans of the team so many are scared of facing over the next few seasons whine that it's not happening fats enough. If you like, pick any 3 Canucks and we'll send them over for RNH, Hall and Eberle. Of course, since they suck so much, we'll take Schultz too. You guys shouldn't mind that. Get rid of those losers and take on some proven NHLers.

[mooneyes]

I love how adjusting to a new coach and more new players gets called "a step back".

I also love how many people on these boards are willing to call a guy a failure after one or two seasons. Anyone remember Stamkos' first season?

Basically, I'm seeing fans of the team so many are scared of facing over the next few seasons whine that it's not happening fats enough. If you like, pick any 3 Canucks and we'll send them over for RNH, Hall and Eberle. Of course, since they suck so much, we'll take Schultz too. You guys shouldn't mind that. Get rid of those losers and take on some proven NHLers.

Sedin, Sedin and Luongo, done! lol aside from that your right, way too impatient, Messier scored only 1 goal his first year...but if they finish really poor this year and win the darn lottery I want an inquiry! Even if the get Drouin, that kid has instant impact talent imho...

[jmatchett]

I'll make it even better; the Flyers can offer Jody Shelley, Andreas Lilja, and a 3rd. Shelley and Lilja will be easier on the cap than Hall and Eberle, and their hits are over at the end of the year.

[centrehice]

Sedin, Sedin and Luongo, done! lol aside from that your right, way too impatient, Messier scored only 1 goal his first year...but if they finish really poor this year and win the darn lottery I want an inquiry! Even if the get Drouin, that kid has instant impact talent imho...

Well pointed out. Messier's first 2-3 seasons he was noted more for spearing than scoring. He did a complete Stan Mikita and turned his career around because Muckler (not Slats) told him that he could be anything he wanted to be in terms of greatness.

Sather did not mentor Messier, Muckler did, as Sather was also a stick-hack bum his entire career and cannot see greatness unless he looks in a mirror.

[rustyisin]

I'd take Schneider and Bieksa for Nugent-Hopkins and Hemsky

not happening fast enough? In case you were out of the country for the past 6 years just giving you a quick update - the Oilers
haven't made the playoffs since you've been gone

[Wickabee]

Who said anything about Hemsky?
And yeah, you're right, but you're calling to rip it apart right before it's. supposed to pay off. Calgary's fans are screaming for them to go the Edmonton route and you want to go the Calgary route.

I'll give you Schneider and Bieksa for RNH , Hall, Eberle and Schultz, since they're all such bums. Heck I'll throw in Booth and Lapierre if you throw in Dubnyk.