[News] Oilers to name Todd McLellan head coach

[Ruttiger]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

He will be fired by the All-Star break.

I assume you're just posting to hear yourself talk at this stage? Or to see your own writing I guess in this case.

[handgroen]

Originally Posted by Ruttiger

I assume you're just posting to hear yourself talk at this stage? Or to see your own writing I guess in this case.

if you want to make bold predictions about the future of the oilers, aim low.

i'll take a go at it, we haven't seen the last of mactavish behind the oilers bench.

...see aim low, real lowe...

[Travis Munroe]

At what point does the salary cap bite the Oil?
22 million tied up until at least 2019 between Pouliot and the 6x6 crew (total of 4 players and no D)
I have always believed Yak has star potential with proper coaching / attitude adjustment. He has 2 years left before I see him being a 5+ million dollar guy.
Add in McDavid being a 8-9m player in 3 years and they are really strapped for cap space.

They have a small window to do any damage in the playoffs and unfortunately, I see that as a 3-4 year project....just enough time to have over 50% of your cap space tied up in the top 6.

I am excited for the BAO to mean something though! I expect a very tough west and think we could see the flames in the 7-8 spot, oilers in the 8-9 and canucks in the 9-10

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by transplant99

I don't know how "quick" it will happen but yes they are on the right track now.

They still have a very unbalanced forward core, and are a looong way from seeing any sort of solid backend (trade or not)...and then there is the dumpster fire that has been and is goaltending.

They have a good start into the turnaround with the coach and management changes but there is much work t be done with the personnel.

This is a job equivalent to a Titan rolling a boulder up a hill only to see it roll back down and having to start over again.

I think the Titan's name was Sisyphus, which is a pretty apt name to describe the Oilers.

When I look at the lineup I see.

A top 6 filled with soft notoriously one way players, the only exception would really be RNH. I still don't think that Yak has the hockey IQ to be a top 6 guy.

A terrible bottom 6 forward set.

A absolutely terrible blueline group.

Abysmal goaltending.

Not great depth on the farm, outside of Nurse and McDavid nobody stands out as help right now.

A upcoming salary cap crunch that will force some hard decisions in the next few years.

This isn't a quick fix. McDavid will help one of the lowest scoring teams in the NHL, but he won't be a huge help in keeping the puck out of the net.

What seems to be an organizational unwillingness to trade the gold dust triplets in Hall, Eberle and Yak.

Oiler fans can claim that Chia will make bold moves to fix this mess, but every GM knows he's in a terrible spot and they're not just going to give assets away, they'll squeeze the Oilers for every drop of blood that they can.

Especially with the Oilers suddenly under a lot of pressure to win and expectations to win.

[heep223]

Originally Posted by Realtor 1

oilers in the 8-9

Really? Wow. Who do you see 9-14? Coyotes without question. You think the Oilers will be better than SJ, Winnipeg, Van, Colorado? Dallas? LA?

Stranger things have happened I guess but I just don't see it. They have the worst D in the league (and it's not close) and no goaltending. They will continue to finish in the 12-14 spot until they address these needs from within or from the outside.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by heep223

Really? Wow. Who do you see 9-14? Coyotes without question. You think the Oilers will be better than SJ, Winnipeg, Van, Colorado? Dallas? LA?

Stranger things have happened I guess but I just don't see it. They have the worst D in the league (and it's not close) and no goaltending. They will continue to finish in the 12-14 spot until they address these needs from within or from the outside.

It's impossible to say until we know the opening roster, but could be totally realistic

[northcrunk]

Originally Posted by OzSome

I actually agree with you. I hate the Oilers so much but even I think they will be much better next season. Nicholson is actually doing a bang up job in pleasing the Oilers fans in making smart decisions getting KLowe and McT away from making hockey decisions. Having the chance to draft a special player like McDavid helps too. As a Flames fan I am hoping McDavid becomes the next Alexander Daigle, great junior player but a bust in the NHL. I don't think it will happen though. I've seen this kid play for Erie Otters, he is a dominated player.

And he was dominated by Hunter Smith's team. The kid can be shut down and you can really get under his skin. I think that is his biggest weakness. He is only going to get frustrated more playing in the NHL as most guys will be keying in on him from the start. No sheltered minutes no matter where he plays in the line-up. Maybe he will be the next Rob Schremp.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by northcrunk

And he was dominated by Hunter Smith's team. The kid can be shut down and you can really get under his skin. I think that is his biggest weakness. He is only going to get frustrated more playing in the NHL as most guys will be keying in on him from the start. No sheltered minutes no matter where he plays in the line-up. Maybe he will be the next Rob Schremp.

He'll win the Calder regardless of what Oshawa did. The kid is special, full stop

[sureLoss]

Brandon Prust shut down Sidney Crosby in the Memorial Cup tournament... doesn't really mean anything.

[oldschoolcalgary]

most people, pundits and fans alike, also though Calgary was going to be in the McDavid Sweepstakes this year too...

So, its certainly not impossible to think of the Oilers as being a team that is more competitive than what people assume they'll be.

[northcrunk]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

He'll win the Calder regardless of what Oshawa did. The kid is special, full stop

He has to play in the NHL to be eligible for the Calder. We will see how he fares next year against men and Sam Bennett.

[heep223]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

It's impossible to say until we know the opening roster, but could be totally realistic

Fair enough. If they find 4 top 4 d-men and a starting NHL goalie this summer, I could see them maybe finishing in the 8-10 spot.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by northcrunk

He has to play in the NHL to be eligible for the Calder. We will see how he fares next year against men and Sam Bennett.

Sam Bennett was held virtually scoreless against North Bay too.


Look, we can argue about who is going to be better, but nobody outside here would think McDavid isn't the clear cut favourite

[Day Tripper]

Originally Posted by northcrunk

He has to play in the NHL to be eligible for the Calder. We will see how he fares next year against men and Sam Bennett.

I'm a huge Sam Bennett fan, but let's be real here...McDavid might be better than any Flames forward next year, let alone Sam Bennett (and in a few years will of course be better than any player the Flames have ever had).

[northcrunk]

[QUOTE=Day Tripper;5306553]I'm a huge Sam Bennett fan, but let's be real here...McDavid might be better than any Flames forward next year, let alone Sam Bennett (and in a few years will of course be better than any player the Flames have ever had).[/QUOTE]

Pretty big qualifier, 'might'. I also heard Tayolor Hall 'might' turn the franchise around, and RHN, and Yak .......... I don't have any faith in Edmonton developing quality players. Last sentance is just Baqwaas (Bull $###). McDavid has to actually be drafted and play his first NHL game before everyone annoints him 'the best who ever lived'. He seems like a whiner like Gretzky was.

[codynw]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

Sam Bennett was held virtually scoreless against North Bay too.


Look, we can argue about who is going to be better, but nobody outside here would think McDavid isn't the clear cut favourite

I don't have any real reasons for this, but I have a feeling Eichel will have a better rookie year than McDavid. McDavid will be better long term, but I think Eichel will be more impressive next year.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Day Tripper

I'm a huge Sam Bennett fan, but let's be real here...McDavid might be better than any Flames forward next year, let alone Sam Bennett (and in a few years will of course be better than any player the Flames have ever had).

Bold statement Cotton, let's see if it pays of for him.


God, some of the assumptions around McDavid are completely ludicrous.

[Day Tripper]

Originally Posted by northcrunk

]
Pretty big qualifier, 'might'. I also heard Tayolor Hall 'might' turn the franchise around, and RHN, and Yak .......... I don't have any faith in Edmonton developing quality players. Last sentance is just Baqwaas (Bull $###). McDavid has to actually be drafted and play his first NHL game before everyone annoints him 'the best who ever lived'. He seems like a whiner like Gretzky was.

I didn't say "the best who ever lived". And let's hope he's nothing like Gretzky. Let's hope. (He won't be anywhere near as good as Gretzky, don't worry)

Originally Posted by MattyC

Bold statement Cotton, let's see if it pays of for him.


God, some of the assumptions around McDavid are completely ludicrous.

It's not bold at all. This isn't Hall or Nugent-Hopkins or Yakupov we're talking about.

[Weitz]

nm

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by MattyC

Bold statement Cotton, let's see if it pays of for him.


God, some of the assumptions around McDavid are completely ludicrous.

Agreed. Before we declare him the best player in a generation shouldn't he have to at least become that player? We have heard all the same stuff with Tavares and Stamkos and while they are fantastic players they haven't been game changers for those franchises on their own. It's still a team game after all.