Quote:
Originally Posted by OldDutch
Dude can’t hack the KHL. The same league Nigel Dawes was a phenom.
He would have busted on any NHL squad.
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Don’t agree. As mentioned above, the Oilers (Lowe) mentality for young players is based on the notion from 1982 where Sather was a father figure to mentally and physically manage all aspects of those guys lives, and the dressing room had to sort its own issues out with strong leaders keeping others in line and elevating everyone.
This was of course the era too where you slept off hangovers and players were defaulting on loans.
But given the circle of poor Oilers results equal high draft picks, and no vets to come in and lead, let alone babysit, that dressing room, let alone keep it in line. 19 and 20 year old kids who have excelled for a couple years in junior and been at the top of the team up to this point, it is extremely hard to be given the keys at an NHL level every night, without being able to touch the pedals.
There is a fine line for kids in that zone whether they sink or swim.Some need thier ass kicked. Some need a Pat on the back. Timing of that kick or a pat is also important. And Nail and the other young guys were all operating without any of that direction or structure in Edmonton, but expected to know it all right away and crapped on when they didn’t, further sending them down a spiral. .
Pretty sure he was a consensus pick around the league at number 1. That’s 30 scouting departments and all the so called draft experts agreeing. In this day and age the talent, drive, and intangibles are all there and shown over the course of multiple years in junior.
It’s been sad to watch. Each and every talent the Oilers have picked so high could turn out like Hall did when he left.