If I am a young goalie on the rise, or a veteran goalie trying to rebound somewhere, would I want to sign in Edmonton? I mean, maybe I would because there are only so many teams with open spots, but I would think long and hard about it. How many goalies were good, went to Edmonton, nearly died (well, at least in regards to their careers), and then went on to other organizations and had to SLOWLY rebuild in another organization?
Calgary has a few of those as well - but none of them were really proven goalies, or were at the very tail-end of their careers anyway. I argue that Ramo was indeed becoming a very good starter until his injury hit. Rittich has improved since arriving in Calgary. Talbot seems to be resurrecting his career.
Is there a single goalie - young or old - that hasn't completely imploded in Edmonton? I think with Tippett, things will probably be a bit better in that regard since he is an actually strong 2-way systems coach. However, that's a gamble. Goalies become noticeably worse the longer they play in Edmonton, and then they become noticeably better after a season or two away from Edmonton. Pretty risky proposition if I am a goalie trying to save my career, or trying to prove that I can be a #1. I may want to bide my time as a backup for another season or two in the hopes that another position on another team opens up. I would at least think about it.
I think everyone knows by now that either way, Edmonton sucks. With McDavid or without McDavid, Edmonton sucks. With Tippett, with Hitchcock and with McLellan - the Oilers suck. Lowe is right - they are still paying for their cups they won from the 80's, but it must be because of the deal they struck with the devil. "You guys will be a dynasty in the 80's, but then you will be the worst team in all of professional sports for as long as you play out of Edmonton".
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