it is very telling that the oilers fans/media have to use the flames as a measuring stick for success to make themselves feel better. the oilers should be head and shoulders better than the flames given that they are about half a decade into their rebuild. Of course the oilers finished 10 points below the flames in the standings. That's laughable.
at the end of the day, the oilers rebuild will fail yet again. Everyone talks about how good the youth is and that it's just a matter of time. This isn't true. Eberle isn't elite, and is soft. RNH isn't elite and is soft. Yakupov may not even be a good nhl'er, let alone elite. gagner's gone for next to nothing. Hall is great offensive player, but not a leader (which he was touted for after 2 memorial cups), not willing to invest the energy towards a complete/200ft game.
within 5 years when folks look back at the oilers franchise, and what came out of the streak of 3 straight years of #1 picks, and be completely disappointed. Over the last decade or more, their 3 #1 picks in succession will be viewed as the worst possible sequence.
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