According to Lars Eller, the Oilers "are like a junior team, sometimes..."

[NumberNine]

Despite the Oilers being media darlings, they don't seem to be getting much respect. Also, Patrick Holland makes his NHL debut tonight.

http://blogs.canoe.ca/slam/hockey/46401/

“It can be anything, you know? They play a little bit like a junior team, I think, sometimes,” said Eller

The 21-year-old Holland, whom the Habs acquired in the Mike Cammalleri deal along with Rene Bourque (and a draft pick they turned into goaltender Zach Fucale), will be making his NHL debut.

[Poe969]

sometimes?

[devo22]

good for Holland. I was pretty high on the kid back then and was pissed when he was traded.

Oh, and haha stupid Oilers.

[Itse]

Heh...

The Canadiens lost forwards Daniel Briere (concussion, out indefinitely) and Brandon Prust (shoulder, one month) in Saturday’s 2-1 loss to the Nashville Predators. They’re already without front-line winger Max Pacioretty, who’s out for three weeks with a hamstring strain.

And yet...

Canadiens lines tonight vs. Edmonton Oilers
Alex Galchenyuk-Lars Eller-Brendan Gallagher
Michael Bournival-Tomas Plekanec-Brian Gionta
Travis Moen-David Desharnais-Rene Bourque
Michael Blunden-Ryan White-Patrick Holland

Did we ever get rid of Bourque in time.

[Robbob]

I like this quote from him

“They take a lot risks, a lot of chances. They’re a little all over the place. There’s not a lot of structure always in their game. It can really be anything. You don’t know."

[CaptainCrunch]

We really need the Oilers to end this trip with a loss tonight to drive them to 2-7-1 after 10 games.

If a playoff spot is gained at 94 they'd need to get 89 points over the last 72 games. Which means they'ed pretty much have to win 45 games or go at a 45 or 45-27 which is about .625 clip.

I think if they lose tonight they should blow it up and start on rebuild 4.0.1

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by Robbob

I like this quote from him

“They take a lot risks, a lot of chances. They’re a little all over the place. There’s not a lot of structure always in their game. It can really be anything. You don’t know."

Indictment two that either Eakins is clueless, or the players aren't listening to him.

If they continue to struggle at this pace, Eakins will be unemployed by the half way point of the season and Mac-T will be behind the bench. They can't afford to be patient anymore.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Really interested to see how Holland does. He was the 7th round pick in 2010 - when the Flames under Sutter drafted Reinhart, Leach, Ramage, Arnold and Ferland. That was one heck of a draft considering the Flames didn't have a first or second round pick. Holland was a long shot even though his stats were great, so it is really nice to see him get an NHL game. Hope he sticks for Montreal (even though I don't like the Habs).

[Robbob]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

We really need the Oilers to end this trip with a loss tonight to drive them to 2-7-1 after 10 games.

If a playoff spot is gained at 94 they'd need to get 89 points over the last 72 games. Which means they'ed pretty much have to win 45 games or go at a 45 or 45-27 which is about .625 clip.

I think if they lose tonight they should blow it up and start on rebuild 4.0.1

With 1 ROW so far they would most likely lose the tie breaker so they might need more.

[Jebus]

Thread title should really read: "Lars Eller Insults Junior Teams"

[Cali Panthers Fan]

The 21-year-old Holland, whom the Habs acquired in the Mike Cammalleri deal along with Rene Bourque (and a draft pick they turned into goaltender Zach Fucale), will be making his NHL debut.

If we end up trading Cammy at some point this year, we need to get AT LEAST these type of prospects/picks back. Two 2nd round picks or 2 of a team's top 10 prospects.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Indictment two that either Eakins is clueless, or the players aren't listening to him.

If they continue to struggle at this pace, Eakins will be unemployed by the half way point of the season and Mac-T will be behind the bench. They can't afford to be patient anymore.

I think it is still a bit early to stay definitely what it is - they have been playing this pond hockey for a few years now, and it will probably take time for any coach to get them to play a system.

I do think Eakins took a risk in Edmonton, however. I can see why he didn't want to go to Vancouver - a team that is seemingly on the decline, so they will probably do less well over the next few seasons than they have in the past. He chose Edmonton because they were seen as a team on the rise - but they are such a poorly built team.

Will be interesting to see what happens there.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

I think it is still a bit early to stay definitely what it is - they have been playing this pond hockey for a few years now, and it will probably take time for any coach to get them to play a system.

I do think Eakins took a risk in Edmonton, however. I can see why he didn't want to go to Vancouver - a team that is seemingly on the decline, so they will probably do less well over the next few seasons than they have in the past. He chose Edmonton because they were seen as a team on the rise - but they are such a poorly built team.

Will be interesting to see what happens there.

I don't know, they've had all of training camp and 10 games to figure it out. Even against the Sens they still looked completely clueless in their own end.

I really think that the patience we're rebuilding excuse has to end for the Oilers, they needed to come out of the gate fairly hot or at least competent.

They might be badly built, but at least a half way competent coach can get a badly built team to play a system. He hasn't accomplished it.

You can blame the goaltending, and the goaltending hasn't been great, but the Oilers give up tons of shots from in the slot in the close in areas, and teams pick up the rebounds with ease.

sometimes AHL level coaches can't make the transition, that's why I'm saying, if the Oilers continue their poor play of the next 20 or so games, Eakins will be the first to fall. Mac-T and Lowe are both former Oilers and have action figures that Katz can play with. Eakins doesn't.

[ah123]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Indictment two that either Eakins is clueless, or the players aren't listening to him.

This situation reminds me of how the Flames were playing under Brent Sutter - for some reason, the Flames could not/would not play the structure that Brent wanted. I see the same situation with the Oilers right now; Eakins wants a certain system and the players cannot/will not get on the same page as the coach.

[djsFlames]

It's kind of true.

But typical trolling from the Habs, who have the audacity to talk down to other teams, as if they're in a position to be doing so...

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

If we end up trading Cammy at some point this year, we need to get AT LEAST these type of prospects/picks back. Two 2nd round picks or 2 of a team's top 10 prospects.

Perhaps - but that's a pretty broad range. If we get a top 3 prospect from a strong organization I wouldn't need a 2nd prospect.
I think we have to remember that Holland was included in the deal and the 2nd, but the Flames also netted Ramo, who COULD be their new starter.
In many ways I see it being one of the toughest deals to evaluate in the last few years because of the nature of the pieces involved.

[4oh3]

Oilers have so much young talent it's ridiculous and they have veterans too they should be a successful team but there young players have no balls halls the only one I see gettin in a scrum but he just acts tough I think it's dubnyk he's an average goalie which dosent mean anything in the nhl yakupov is a joke

[Redliner]

Originally Posted by 4oh3

Oilers have so much young talent it's ridiculous and they have veterans too they should be a successful team but there young players have no balls halls the only one I see gettin in a scrum but he just acts tough I think it's dubnyk he's an average goalie which dosent mean anything in the nhl yakupov is a joke

Are you related to Netminder?

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Poe969

sometimes?

Sometimes they're worse.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by 4oh3

Oilers have so much young talent it's ridiculous and they have veterans too they should be a successful team but there young players have no balls halls the only one I see gettin in a scrum but he just acts tough I think it's dubnyk he's an average goalie which dosent mean anything in the nhl yakupov is a joke

Outside of their big 4 of RNH, Eberle, Hall, Yakapov, there young talent isn't all that awe inspiring and outside of Perron and Smid their veterans aren't all that good.

Gagner is a decent player but he's also a weakling. Boyd Gordon is a third liner being pushed up the lineup because of lack of depth.

I'm undecided on Justin Schultz. He has elite offensive skills, but when he doesn't have the puck he actually hurts your team.

the Oilers have a huge gap. Outside of their number one picks they haven't drafted well. And they didn't make great use of the number one picks to build any kind of organizational structure.

On top of that their GM's have done a lousy job of building any kind of team.

Their top 4 isn't going to be enough to propel this team to the playoffs any time soon. I would almost expect that its going to be another 4 years and a complete change in philosophy for them to get back to a playoff spot unless a miracle happens.