Is that true though? Is the problem they're not playing hard, or is the problem that they lack skill? I think they just lack skill. It doesn't matter how hard the D core tries, they'll still be a bunch of 3/4/5 defensemen trying to play on the first pairing. They're overmatched. Just because Chia paid Drai like he is an elite centre doesn't mean he's anything more than complementary winger for McDoodle. Heck, this is the best Nuge has ever performed, they can't expect more out of that guy. And the rest of the forwards are straight up junk.
This is really all on Chia. Expecting guys like Rattie, Khaira, Kassian, the Drake, Rieder etc, etc to perform above replacement level is absurd. Most of them shouldn't even be in the NHL. Chiasson is their 4th best forward and he was a PTO! Chia's lucky one of the other bottom feeder teams didn't have an injury and the end of camp and scoop him.
These guys haven't even begun to mail it in. Give them a couple months of losing and having Hitch yell at them, then you'll see real apathy.
I recall someone on the fan (I believe it was a Ryan Rishaug) saying he sees a trend that there is no accountability for the players in Edmonton. Connor McDavid doesn’t work on weaknesses in his game. He compared him to Crosby who spent a summer working on his one timer because it wasn’t up to snuff with the rest of the league.
Asset management is the root of all problems up north. Its actually pathetic, Here are the primary transactions since Chairelli has been at the helm.
Oilers Trade:
Devon Dubynk (Pre Chairelli)
David Perron
1st Round Pick (Matthew Barzal)
2nd Round Pick (Daniel Sprong)
Justin Schultz
Anders Nilson
Taylor Hall
Nail Yakapov
Jordan Eberle
Has turned into Oilers acquiring:
Matt Hendricks
Rob Kilnkhammer
Griffen Reinhart
Cam Talbot
Zack Kassian
2016 3rd round pick
Adam Larsson
Ryan Spooner
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Originally Posted by oilboy2 This deal is DONE, im not sure what the worry is. Heatly is an Oiler, just some paperwork to get done. This isnt another Nylander incident
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Is that true though? Is the problem they're not playing hard, or is the problem that they lack skill? I think they just lack skill. It doesn't matter how hard the D core tries, they'll still be a bunch of 3/4/5 defensemen trying to play on the first pairing. They're overmatched. Just because Chia paid Drai like he is an elite centre doesn't mean he's anything more than complementary winger for McDoodle. Heck, this is the best Nuge has ever performed, they can't expect more out of that guy. And the rest of the forwards are straight up junk.
There have been teams with not great defensemen that have been good defensively because honestly, defense is hard work, winning battles, attention to detail and doing the basics well.
I don't see that, especially with the Oilers forwards, you can't tell me that McDavid works hard without the puck because he doesn't. Doing fly bys isn't working hard. Sure you want a defenseman that has good skills or good skating ability, but you can make another teams life a living nightmare if you outwork them in your zone.
This Oilers team over the last few weeks has been playing for a coaching change. I don't see a good work ethic out of them.
But I'm sure that Hitch isn't that groups first choice because as out of touch as he has been with the modern game, you'd better work you're a$$ off for him period, or he'll make your life miserable.
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My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings;
Why dont the Oilers try RNH and Draisaitl together and leave Mcdavid alone to carry a line. I mean at least u have 2 lines than right? And on another note Mcdavid has looked lazy lately. I never thought the Oilers could negatively affect him but wow looks like he has got the Oilers stink too now. So many missed coverages by him.
Why dont the Oilers try RNH and Draisaitl together and leave Mcdavid alone to carry a line. I mean at least u have 2 lines than right? And on another note Mcdavid has looked lazy lately. I never thought the Oilers could negatively affect him but wow looks like he has got the Oilers stink too now. So many missed coverages by him.
When you're playing the guy 25 or more minutes a game he's going to wear out. McDavid is probably going to struggle in the second half of the season.
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My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings;
Gene Principe just asked completely seriously “what does ‘serendipity’ mean?”
A so-called professional broadcaster who has to be in his mid 40’s just took the time on live TV to ask his guest what the definition of a word he somehow has never heard is.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HotHotHeat
THIS is why people make fun of Edmonton. When will this stupid city figure it out? They continue to kick their own ass every day, it's impossible not to make fun of them.
Asset management is the root of all problems up north. Its actually pathetic, Here are the primary transactions since Chairelli has been at the helm.
Oilers Trade:
Devon Dubynk (Pre Chairelli)
David Perron
1st Round Pick (Matthew Barzal)
2nd Round Pick (Daniel Sprong)
Justin Schultz
Anders Nilson
Taylor Hall
Nail Yakapov
Jordan Eberle
Has turned into Oilers acquiring:
Matt Hendricks
Rob Kilnkhammer
Griffen Reinhart
Cam Talbot
Zack Kassian
2016 3rd round pick
Adam Larsson
Ryan Spooner
No one wants to go to the Oilers. No decent player with an NTC wants to go there. Lowe has proven time and again that he has lied and backstabbed players to get there. Go back to the Comrie situation. Then lying to Pronger about other players he was signing. The Vanek and Penner offer sheets. Players and agents and GMs wanted nothing to do with the Oilers. Heatley situation, Nylander situation. Others thst never made it to press.
They kept sucking and thus then getting talent through high picks. Top talent was expected to come in, without coaching, and light it up like they did in junior, just like Wayne and Mess did in 1981. With no support on how to be an NHL player.Pressured by Lowe to be better and play harder. Told something else by the carousel of coaches. Other players there playing out the string or unhappy as to how they got stuck with listening to Lowe to go there in thenfirst place. Players like Erik Cole and Perron came in and thought it would be different and left after a year or less because they had value still in the league. Khabibhulin goes there because Oilers only ones willing to sign him for more than a year because he had a bad back and everyone knew it. Guys like Talbot and Lucic come in riding the McDavid wave and Lowe was pushed out of the way with Chia and McLellan supposedly in charge.
McLellan (and sure Lowe before him) wanted to trade others. But no one had value, and more so any impact player they wanted in return declined to waive their nmc. So Chia was handcuffed...talent rotting away on a team, and Lowe’s reputation from a decade and a half meaning that there was no way to get a decent return. Thus Hall for Larson as likely option number 53, but all the Oilers could get back sinc Larson didn’t have an nmc.
Now, Chia is no big wheeler and dealer, but the crap situation that Lowe created means the means to acquire players through trade or FA has to be gullible, tainted in some way, or have the vault opened for them (Lucic).
Chia is gone next and the new GM will have an uphill battle just as Tambellni had before Chia, in carrying out Lowe’s wishes, both for transactions, and day to day managing of the hockey operations.
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Two years from now, with the Oilers toiling at the bottom of the league for the fourth straight season. Which team does McDavid get traded to? My money is on the Rangers, Kings or Flyers.