[OOT] Feb 3 - 7 games

[flames_fan_down_under]

The Canucks core has definitely gone stale. They should make a hard push for Vanek, I think they should trade Horvat and their 1st rounder for Vanek, thats definitely a good play for Gillis. They should absolutely do that.

[thefoss1957]

Leddy with a goal at the 7:00 mark of the 3rd...the PP had just ended, and the Kings were still in scramble mode, chasing possession...4-2 'Hawks.

Kane, Bickell (just escaped the doghouse after being scratched recently), Kruger ('Hawk 4th line keeps rolling), and Leddy for the 'Hawks.

Doughty and Kopitar for the Kings.

[thefoss1957]

Terrible backchecking by Kings leads to a Sharp to Kane tap in goal...

Carter then goes with a wrap-around, Toffoli cleans up the loose puck in the crease...5-3 with 6minutes left in regulation.

[Red John]

Originally Posted by MissTeeks

Not a happy Torts:

“@BradZiemer: Torts: "We need to change the complexion of our hockey club, either with our play or with different people." #Canucks”

“@BradZiemer: More Torts: "we looked like a slow hockey team tonight." #Canucks”

His problem is he implemented a system that's extremely taxing on the body and difficult to play, and then force-fed way too many minutes to his top players leaning on them every night.

What did he think was going to happen?

[4oh3]

Hendricks gonna get benched for getting that W


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[Textcritic]

I watch a lot of Oilers games, and it really is a wonder that they don't allow a short-handed goal every single game with the kinds of odd-man opportunities they constantly allow while on the power play. Surrendered their league-leading (tied with Philadelphia) ninth tonight.

Originally Posted by Red John

...Edmonton allows 44 shots to the Buffalo Sabres. Let that sink in...

The highest shot-count for the Sabres this season, also represents the highest margin by which they outshot an opponent with +16. They have been outshot in 44/55 games, and are tied with the Flames for the second worst average shot-count per game average in the League. This is both a major accomplishment for such a dreadfully bad team, and also a product of just how truly terrible the perpetually rebuilding Oilers continue to be.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by activeStick

It's interesting 'cause the Vancouver assistant who was managing the team while Torts was out made a similar comment after one of their games, saying something along the lines of their roster doesn't have the personnel to score goals so they have to make due and play perfect defensively to give themselves a chance.

Almost sounds like they're calling Gillis out.

I thought he totally called Gillis out. It was basically: 'we suck, and it isn't my fault, it's the team I've been given'

While that may be true to some extent, he is very much a victim of his own system: play a much more defensive system, have my best players killing penalties and blocking shots, give my best players too much ice-time, then complain that we can't score goals.

Well yeah, your best players are tired and beat up and trying to play defense. Good job, Torts.

Next phase: the media turns on Torts, and then he goes full Tortorella on them. It should be epic!

Edit: sounds a lot like the Brent Sutter era doesn't it? "Everybody chip it in and circle back". Then - "we don't have the talent to win an offensive game"

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by dash_pinched

So if my math is correct, the Oil have allowed 144 shots in their last 3 games, but have also won 2 of those 3 games. That's special.

#turningthecorner

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

I thought he totally called Gillis out. It was basically: 'we suck, and it isn't my fault, it's the team I've been given'

While that may be true to some extent, he is very much a victim of his own system: play a much more defensive system, have my best players killing penalties and blocking shots, give my best players too much ice-time, then complain that we can't score goals.

Well yeah, your best players are tired and beat up and trying to play defense. Good job, Torts.

Next phase: the media turns on Torts, and then he goes full Tortorella on them. It should be epic!

Edit: sounds a lot like the Brent Sutter era doesn't it? "Everybody chip it in and circle back". Then - "we don't have the talent to win an offensive game"

I'd buy it too if they weren't able to score goals before Torts got there

[19Yzerman19]

I still think the Canucks will make the playoffs regardless, simply because they have one of the easiest schedules in the league down the stretch. They'd be lucky to win a round, obviously. They've had some injury woes, and continue to.

The question is, what do you do if you're the GM and want to start re-building? Can't trade the Sedins - just re-signed to dual NTC's. Don't want to trade Kesler or Edler - both still under 30. Obviously can't trade Luongo, Bieksa has a NTC, Booth is worthless. Burrows would be a sell-low situation.

It doesn't help much to wait until the offseason either - the only guys whose contracts are expiring are guys like Tanev, Kassian and Hansen, all of whom will assumedly be re-signed. The team contract situation is set up for a rebuild in like... 2017. Gillis painted himself into a corner.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by 19Yzerman19

I still think the Canucks will make the playoffs regardless, simply because they have one of the easiest schedules in the league down the stretch. They'd be lucky to win a round, obviously. They've had some injury woes, and continue to.

The question is, what do you do if you're the GM and want to start re-building? Can't trade the Sedins - just re-signed to dual NTC's. Don't want to trade Kesler or Edler - both still under 30. Obviously can't trade Luongo, Bieksa has a NTC, Booth is worthless. Burrows would be a sell-low situation.

It doesn't help much to wait until the offseason either - the only guys whose contracts are expiring are guys like Tanev, Kassian and Hansen, all of whom will assumedly be re-signed. The team contract situation is set up for a rebuild in like... 2017. Gillis painted himself into a corner.

Agreed.

And what do you say to the fans? You re-sign your franchise players to 4-year, $28m deals. You raise ticket prices, and you continue to promote your team as a contender.

You fire your coach (that has had a pretty good track record) and bring in a coach that many people thought had a system that didn't match your players.

Then, 50 games into the season, and 50 games into a situation that a lot of people saw coming, you turn around and say "maybe we're not that good and we should look to the future"?

This mess is Gillis' fault and if I were a STH, there is no way I would stand for him starting to tear it down.

I would want Gillis and Torts replaced and someone brought in to try and right this ship. Because it's been 40-something years and if they start to dismantle the current core, it'll be back to no end in sight.

Anyone who thinks they can move out a couple of players and re-tweak things and remain competitive is dreaming.

The Sedins are there for the remainder of their contracts. If Gillis can't build around them, then they should look for someone else who can.

[Resolute 14]

One has to respect what the goalies have done in Edmonton the last couple games, but one also has to tell Eakins that the idea behind a "swarm defence" is not to let the other team swarm your net.

[FakenHaken]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

One has to respect what the goalies have done in Edmonton the last couple games, but one also has to tell Eakins that the idea behind a "swarm defence" is not to let the other team swarm your net.

Could you imagine another coaching change up north?

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by FakenHaken

Could you imagine another coaching change up north?

6 coaches in 6 years ought to help player development.

Hey guys. If you suck on the ice and refuse to play the way required in the NHL, we'll pin it on the coach and you can continue!

[CaptainCrunch]

Yes but he never played for the Oilers, so he's not part of the old boys club and will be blamed and fired by skype.

then Lowe will promote one of his buddies who's an assistant coach because frankly I doubt that Edmonton will be able to attract a veteran coach while they're under their current management unless they're willing to pony up a huge money loooooong term guaranteed deal to attract a coach.

[SeeBass]

^I dunno know about that. I would think when there are 30 jobs and only a couple a year open you take it.

Perhaps you might be right that a marquee coach that can pick his spots. But I bet most vet coaches would take it.

[MissTeeks]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

One has to respect what the goalies have done in Edmonton the last couple games, but one also has to tell Eakins that the idea behind a "swarm defence" is not to let the other team swarm your net.

[FakenHaken]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Yes but he never played for the Oilers, so he's not part of the old boys club and will be blamed and fired by skype.

then Lowe will promote one of his buddies who's an assistant coach because frankly I doubt that Edmonton will be able to attract a veteran coach while they're under their current management unless they're willing to pony up a huge money loooooong term guaranteed deal to attract a coach.

I can hardly wait....It will start something along the lines of. The Edmonton Oilers have scheduled a news conference on April 13th.

Big MacT, Lowe, Katz, and Messier in attendance. MacT taps the microphones and announces it is with somber regret that this season did not go as planned. This was not Eakins fault, but today speakin of Eakins we now have a new head coach of the Edmonton Oilers. Kevin Lowe and I are confident that our closest friend and someone who has a trophy named after him for leadership must be the right solution to lead this group of players next year. With nothing to prove to any of you second tier fans or media we would like to introduce Mr. Mark Messier or M&M. Which coincidently is our new sponsor for our new Arena. The M&M Center to be built and constructed in the next 3 years. I pass the microphone to M&M to answer your questions.

[Textcritic]

Two things:

Originally Posted by 19Yzerman19

I still think the Canucks will make the playoffs regardless, simply because they have one of the easiest schedules in the league down the stretch. They'd be lucky to win a round, obviously. They've had some injury woes, and continue to.

Lucky to win a round? If they make the playoffs, they will be playing either the top or second seed in the West. THE CANUCKS WILL BE LUCKY TO WIN A GAME. Hell, if they draw one of the California teams, they will be lucky to score a goal.

Originally Posted by 19Yzerman19

The question is, what do you do if you're the GM and want to start re-building?...

You're basically right in everything here, except I disagree about the "under 30 rule" being applied to Kesler in this instance. The way he plays the game will ensure a shortened career, and one that is likely to take a turn for the worst before too long. He is on pace for 50 points this season, and is now three full years removed from his 70-point peak. He's a second line centre who is no longer among the "elite" playing this position. It actually might be prudent to trade him now—especially since the team is married to the Sedins forever, since his value is not likely to increase, he is not likely to be part of the next core, and he is probably no longer worth the king's ransom he once commanded.