I was surprised that Cujo wasn't Fuhr's backup, but I guess he didn't hit the games played threshold. I'm also surprised to see that Ranford is the franchise leader in games played by a goalie.
I expected this to basically be their 1987 team with a couple of names crossed out and replaced by McDavid and Draisaitl (with Smyth and Hemsky thrown in for good measure), and that's essentially what it is.
__________________
Turn up the good, turn down the suck!
It's a pretty comprehensive list, but it underscores one key thing. Their defense has always been rather bland and not dynamic at all outside of Coffey. It's probably why they've had such a historic lack of success over the years.
Their forwards however are some of the all-time greats, so you have to give some respect there.
__________________
"You know, that's kinda why I came here, to show that I don't suck that much" ~ Devin Cooley, Professional Goaltender
I’ll be honest I’ve never heard of half their defence. And who the hell is Al Hamilton?
In summary, the Oilers all time team is a lot like their current roster. They basically have 5 Gio’s on defence.
Crazy. I'm gonna assume you know Coffee, Smith and Lowe...
- Huddy was a pretty decent 2-way D.
- Gregg was a Doctor, which was good, considering he was a pain in the ass.
- Fogolin, I remember the name but don't really remember anything about the player, which is always something you want to hear about an "all-time selection."
The Following User Says Thank You to FanIn80 For This Useful Post:
It looks like they have the same problem as the Flames, traditionally strong on the right side and weak on the left.
If you look at their all-time LW list (going off the position listed on NHL.com), the only player missing that you could argue in favour of is Hall.
I think what happened is that the NHL was STACKED with superstar RWs in the 80's and 90's, and the kids slowly moved from wanting to play RW to be like them to wanting to play LW because it was a better chance of actually getting to play.
I imagine this shift probably coincides with a certain generation become old enough to be parents, and explaining the difference between "being like them but not playing in an over-crowded position" vs "also being like them but actually playing" to their kids.
here is the thing I've always pondered regarding the Oilers
first off I will give props that the 80s Oilers teams were dominant, a very explosive high scoring team led by one of the all time greats (99) another inner circle hall of famer (11) two other first ballot HOFers (coffey/kurri) and some other stars and complimentary pieces
yet they were a pretty average defensive team most years (which is ok- that is all they needed), despite a Hall of Fame goalie (Fuhr), a superb backup in Moog and what the Oilers fans tell me is one of the best defensive forwards of the era in Kurri
and yet here in the 40 year history of the club all 6 of their all time D are the D from those years- I mean partly I get it- there are alot of rings within that group- but the fact they haven't had a single top 6 all time d man play a game for them in the last 28 years is striking
First of all, that defence is brutal, except for Coffey, who is actually really great.
Secondly, how come Tikkanen gets to be a 'defensive' player, when Tkachuk and Fleury were bumped up forcing Pepper and Patterson into the lineup, leaving out Loob and Makarov? TSN being fast and loose with their own rules.
__________________
"By Grabthar's hammer ... what a savings."
The Following User Says Thank You to Harry Lime For This Useful Post:
D sucks. Smyth, hemsky, Simpson and the entire bottom line would not have made the flames team. Goalies also terrible. I think our all time team would win.
TSN naming all-time teams for each Canadian city...Oilers are Up
