Quote:
Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch
Maybe, he was still not terrific or consistant at the American League level.
Sure, but at the same time Teams are going to view Edmonton differently next year as well, and if its the McDavid and Draisaitl show it might be tougher sledding.
Maybe Larsson who's young, but I don't see him as all that dynamic, and maybe Klefbom, though I think he's a what you see is what you get guy now.
Nurse isn't good, I think he taps out as a bottom half of the rotation guy. Sekera is at his height now today. Watching the Ducks right now, CBC propaganda aside, the Oilers blueline hasn't been great in this series, its been a case of Talbot 5 bell saving their a$$.
I tend to think that any suitors who might have been interested in Eberle are backing away after this season and playoffs. Even if the Oilers do 3 million dollar him, they're not getting anything useful back. If you trade RNH your not getting help for him now, you can't because of the upcoming cap situation, and as soft as he is, he's still a core piece that your not replacing.
If Russell resigns in Edmonton he's going to want a raise on his 3 million dollar deal. Edmonton shouldn't be doing that, but if he leaves the blueline weakens that much more.
Lucic is going to boat anchor the Oilers.
respectfully I think Oiler fans should prepare for a brief light at the end of the tunnel and realize that its the train coming at them.
|
I don't necessarily outright disagree with your assertions, just pointing out the many things that could go right for them.
To me, the biggest hurdle will be Maroon. That line is nothing without his ability to protect the puck and make room for McDavid. What does a 6'3" 230lb winner who scores 27 goals get? A lot more than he is getting, that's for sure. But what really is a winger who's career best until this year was 11 goals going to contribute going forward? Could be interesting. He's really a $4-5M player for the oilers and a $2.5M player to anyone else.
I sincerely hope they sign Russell. He's a net negative in anything higher than a 5/6 role. They've got some really interesting D prospects graduating from the CHL this year, but nothing really noteworthy in the AHL IMO. So 2-3 years could see some replacement defensemen but that's hard to project