Quote:
Originally Posted by cannon7
Many posters appear to be afraid that the Flames will make the same mistakes that the Oilers have with their young players. The difference here is that the Flames have a group of solid veterans such as Giordano, Hudler, Glencross, Stajan, etc. who are character guys and will be a positive influence on a young player. In Edmonton, by contrast, they had fewer veterans of that calibre and instead plugged these young players into top-line roles and let them sink or swim. To those prospects' credit, namely Hall, Eberle and RNH -- they've done OK despite a vacuum of veteran leadership. Only in the past year or so have the Oilers consciously addressed that problem (Ference).
|
This... the whole problem with what happens in Edmonton is not that these guys played in the NHL. Its that they all were immediately thrust into top line roles and were completely over-matched.
Hall/Eberle/RNH aren't ruined. For the most part, they've developed fine. They aren't the reason the Oilers are no good. Its the rest of the team (garbage defense, no depth, overmatched coach).
EDIT: I also feel the 'its ok to send everyone down crowd' is mainly doing it to defend management in advance and its unwarranted. The team is going to keep some young guys.