Quote:
Originally Posted by Weitz
Because as much as the term "tanking" gets thrown around on this site it just isn't done.
No one plays to lose. If that were the case they would be trading guys away for scraps to try and lose. They are not. They just suck.
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I don't believe any player or coach go into a game with the intention of losing. However... It was painfully obvious to absolutely everyone that this team was not good enough. This was apparent to most of us before the season even started but it was no doubt 100% obvious 20 games into the season. At that point... When management and ownership remains idle and does nothing, THAT'S tanking. They knew as well as everyone that they could not make the playoffs but were afraid to make any kind of move that might spark the team. That included trades, firings, benching top players.... Anything. Cause anything like that might spark the team into maybe winning a few games. Suddenly they would be sitting 5th or 6th from the bottom and out of the McDavid/Eichel guarantee.
So management waited until now... The oilers are dead last in the league with no games in hand on the teams above them in the standings. They are about to play 8 straight games against western conference opponents and within a few days will have a 7 point cushion for a 29th/30th overall position. This firing is meant to look like management is doing something but they have all but assured themselves a bottom 2 finish. In fact, dead last is almost as certain with how bad they are and how little change they will do to the team the rest of the season. Plus Carolina is in the east, has 2 games in hand, more wins, and is much more likely to have a better record for the rest of the year than the oilers.
This is the most blatant tank job anyone has seen since 83-84 where it was practically revealed as an intended tank within the organization. Worst part is that everyone seems to be ok with it. Fans and media alike. I mean... Even Don Cherry said on HNIC that it's ok... That they'll get McDavid and it will be fine!! Unbelievable!!
Sure the fans moan at the games but we all know that all will be forgiven when they get a top two pick. Management will even pretend this was all part of the plan. They'll then trade away eberle and/or yakupov before the draft... Pretending it's a bold move. Get some B level veteran defencemen, another unproven goalie, and call it a day. The media and fans will drink it up all over again and call them the next powerhouse team of the league. It's disgusting that everyone seems fine with a team tanking for these kids. The team plays with no pride cause they know it too. I wish the league would step in and do something to stop this. I know that's impossible and won't happen without catching management actually saying out loud that they are losing intentionally.
My hope lies in McDavid and Eichel both coming forward before the draft and saying they refuse to sign with the oilers. That would be some real karma.