Edmonton is No Good VI: Chia•den•freu•de

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

When is the last time McDavid has been spotted smiling or not looking miserable?

Maybe playing for Bill Peters.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by schteve_d

Bob Nicholson is going to be interviewed on CBC radio one in Edmonton some time in the next half hour or so. They are promising it will be interesting. Might be worth a listen.

Link if you're interested: https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live/radio1/edmonton

Well, that was amusing. Here are my notes...

Nicholson on what is in the water: the consistency isn’t there. Played well in the last several games, but just not able to find any wins.

• Expectations “got away from us” after 2017 success. Good pieces on the team and in the organisation, just need to surround them with good players.

• Bakersfield has won 15 in a row. Good assets are coming, but they want to keep them in the AHL to develop for now.

• GM search has been ongoing for three weeks. This time they will interview a lot of people. Going back to Glen Sather only one person has ever been interviewed for GM. In next two weeks will start approaching teams for permission to speak to candidates.

• This team is not that far off. “Mikko” is a key piece; Bakersfield goalies have been very good, but they want to keep them in the AHL to develop.

• Are the Oilers wasting the career of McDavid? He is a great leader; only getting better. Important that he stays positive—he is unbelievably positive. Need to surround him with good players.

• So many exciting things in the city! But need to get the team better on ice.

• Why sign Koskinen? Decided between Talbot and Koskinen, looked at available goalies and decided Koskinen was the best of the whole group.

• Can turn it around next year—even this year is not impossible. With some “little adjustments” the Oilers could still make the playoffs starting with a good home stand this week.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Well, that was amusing. Here are my notes...

Nicholson on what is in the water: the consistency isn’t there. Played well in the last several games, but just not able to find any wins.

I disagree Bob.
I would suggest the Oilers have been one of the most consistent teams in the NHL for quite some time.

[GioforPM]

So much no good there.

No wins but playing better? Dare I say "visually"?

How do you decide Koskinen is better than all available goalies after playing about half the games, halfway through a season? It's not like Koskinen was going to be scooped up by another team until at least July.

Good players coming... gotta keep hope alive I guess. I don't see it.

And playoffs? Hahahahahahaha

[Inferno]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

• With some “little adjustments” the Oilers could still make the playoffs starting with a good home stand this week.

[oldschoolcalgary]

no correlation between AHL team success and NHL team success.

Do they have an NHLer or two on that team? After all their top picks, you'd hope so by now...i doubt there's anyone that can change the culture on the big club however.

"This season..."?

Whatever is in the water up in Edmonton, it sounds like Bob has been chugging gallons of it...

[CaptainCrunch]

The Saint John Flames won the Calder Cup in 2000-2001 and had a 100 point season, and nothing really came out of that team. Marty Murray and David Rouche were the leading scorers, and Derrik Walser was the top defenseman and the starting goalie was Martin Brochu.


A farm team having a good record doesn't mean a thing.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

The Saint John Flames won the Calder Cup in 2000-2001 and had a 100 point season, and nothing really came out of that team. Marty Murray and David Rouche were the leading scorers, and Derrik Walser was the top defenseman and the starting goalie was Martin Brochu.


A farm team having a good record doesn't mean a thing.

When you are in the business of selling hope & bull####, you shout from the rooftops how good your farm team is.



It's amazing how much bull#### Oiler fans continue to buy.

[bubbsy]

are there any real top 6 forward or top 4 d prospects playing on their A team?

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

are there any real top 6 forward or top 4 d prospects playing on their A team?

Oilers fans are really high on Tyler Benson. His numbers look about as good as Kerby Rychel’s.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[saXon]

Let me tell you a story:

I just had a family reunion this weekend. My grandfather is having his 90th birthday this week and he’s not doing so well, so the whole family of 50+ strong of aunts, uncles, cousins, cousins children, etc all showed up. My grandpa just happens to live in Edmonton...

Let’s just say this trip was somewhat Jekyll and Hyde for me.

The good: Seeing family I haven’t seen for eons and all old enough to have a few drinks, and see our teenage children hang out together. Saying our last goodbyes to a man who started it all and living a full life of 90 years.

The bad: $2600 out of pocket. (Only worth it for family, otherwise not worth it at all.)
4 days of hell in the worst city on earth. We flew from lower main and my Fiancé had never been to Edmonton. She was excited to go, but I warned her before we went. It was an eye opening experience for her:
-angry rude drivers (no word of a lie, cut off every 10 minutes).
-traffic never stops
-gps for 8 of our family’s phones and a car rental gps wouldn’t work properly, including mine. It took us on a few wild goose chases and circling a few residential blocks even though our destination was main road locations. Looks like google, garmin, and apple don’t give a crap about mapping Edmonton properly
-beer somehow costs more there than in BC.
-West Ed mall hasn’t changed from the dingy 80’s decor. If you reno a building, do the whole thing, don’t pick a hallway or two...
-love me some abused seals
-sweatpants and dress shoes is a real thing
-showers are not a real thing
-my first ever uber driver was a nice guy, but porn stache, camo woods jacket, sweatpants, dess shoes with a gold buckle, aviator glasses, mullet, unshowered, and driving a beautiful brand new cadillac SRX. Retired rigger.
-people cutting in line for everything
-delusional Oilers fans is a reality. Went into the sports memorabilia store and overheard the conversation between 3 middle aged oulers fans. “Oh, there’s a new framed setup eh? Don’t you have that one yet, eh? I don’t! I’m buying it, live the Nuge, top 10 center in the NHL!”
-No trees, Fiance’ asked if there was anything somewhat scenic in Edmonton. I just chuckled
-The airport is horrible, rude security staff to our kids. Yelling orders, made one of our kids cry, and just robotic. I told them off.
-Cold as eff. -30c with no cover.
-nothing to do but shop and spend money
-don’t stay at Sawridge if you have to travel there. Worst staff, rude, breakfast gave my Fiancé and another cousin food poisoning, threaten to charge for everything even though it’s included in the room’s price. Theft from one of the maids turning down an uncle’s room. Front desk night staff won’t answer their supposed 24/7 phone. It just never ended.
-Service at every restaurant is slow as molasses, and always a slurry of “sorry we’re out, or we don’t have that.”

Edmonton is a horrible place

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by oldschoolcalgary

no correlation between AHL team success and NHL team success.

Do they have an NHLer or two on that team? After all their top picks, you'd hope so by now...i doubt there's anyone that can change the culture on the big club however.

"This season..."?

Whatever is in the water up in Edmonton, it sounds like Bob has been chugging gallons of it...

AHL success often means a team full of vets that couldn't make the NHL.

[868904]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Oilers fans are really high on Tyler Benson. His numbers look about as good as Kerby Rychel’s.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

So does his skating.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

The Saint John Flames won the Calder Cup in 2000-2001 and had a 100 point season, and nothing really came out of that team. Marty Murray and David Rouche were the leading scorers, and Derrik Walser was the top defenseman and the starting goalie was Martin Brochu.


A farm team having a good record doesn't mean a thing.

I'm inclined to disagree.

In 1993 the Cape Breton Oilers won the Calder Cup.

Didn't Wayne Cowley go on to win a Vezina?

Leading scorer in the playoffs, a record that still stands, was future Art Ross and Rocket Richard winner Bill MacDougall.

The VCR line went on to be one of the best in NHL history, Shawn VanAllen, Dan Currie and Stephen Rice.

Didn't Francois Laroux win like a pile of Norris Trophies?

[ynwa03]

Originally Posted by saXon

Let me tell you a story:

I just had a family reunion this weekend. My grandfather is having his 90th birthday this week and he’s not doing so well, so the whole family of 50+ strong of aunts, uncles, cousins, cousins children, etc all showed up. My grandpa just happens to live in Edmonton...

Let’s just say this trip was somewhat Jekyll and Hyde for me.

The good: Seeing family I haven’t seen for eons and all old enough to have a few drinks, and see our teenage children hang out together. Saying our last goodbyes to a man who started it all and living a full life of 90 years.

The bad: $2600 out of pocket. (Only worth it for family, otherwise not worth it at all.)
4 days of hell in the worst city on earth. We flew from lower main and my Fiancé had never been to Edmonton. She was excited to go, but I warned her before we went. It was an eye opening experience for her:
-angry rude drivers (no word of a lie, cut off every 10 minutes).
-traffic never stops
-gps for 8 of our family’s phones and a car rental gps wouldn’t work properly, including mine. It took us on a few wild goose chases and circling a few residential blocks even though our destination was main road locations. Looks like google, garmin, and apple don’t give a crap about mapping Edmonton properly
-beer somehow costs more there than in BC.
-West Ed mall hasn’t changed from the dingy 80’s decor. If you reno a building, do the whole thing, don’t pick a hallway or two...
-love me some abused seals
-sweatpants and dress shoes is a real thing
-showers are not a real thing
-my first ever uber driver was a nice guy, but porn stache, camo woods jacket, sweatpants, dess shoes with a gold buckle, aviator glasses, mullet, unshowered, and driving a beautiful brand new cadillac SRX. Retired rigger.
-people cutting in line for everything
-delusional Oilers fans is a reality. Went into the sports memorabilia store and overheard the conversation between 3 middle aged oulers fans. “Oh, there’s a new framed setup eh? Don’t you have that one yet, eh? I don’t! I’m buying it, live the Nuge, top 10 center in the NHL!”
-No trees, Fiance’ asked if there was anything somewhat scenic in Edmonton. I just chuckled
-The airport is horrible, rude security staff to our kids. Yelling orders, made one of our kids cry, and just robotic. I told them off.
-Cold as eff. -30c with no cover.
-nothing to do but shop and spend money
-don’t stay at Sawridge if you have to travel there. Worst staff, rude, breakfast gave my Fiancé and another cousin food poisoning, threaten to charge for everything even though it’s included in the room’s price. Theft from one of the maids turning down an uncle’s room. Front desk night staff won’t answer their supposed 24/7 phone. It just never ended.
-Service at every restaurant is slow as molasses, and always a slurry of “sorry we’re out, or we don’t have that.”

Edmonton is a horrible place

Par for the course

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

• Expectations “got away from us” after 2017 success. Good pieces on the team and in the organisation, just need to surround them him with good players.

That's more accurate. Oilers have McDavid. That is pretty well it. Draisaitl does nothing without McDavid, and he proves it every time they split the dynamic solo up. McDavid generates points with anyone. Draisaitl generates points with only McDavid. Period.

The rest of the team is pure garbage. There is another guy I will single out.
I'm so tired of the Klefbom hype. They guy is buttery soft and wears an orange helmet on most nights. Doesn't generate much offense, and is coddled like an emerging superstar. The guy is a less version of TJ Brodie, and when I say lesser version, I mean 1/10th the player Brodie is, and Brodie ain't no scream in hell. The Oilers blueline is a joke because this is the guy that supposedly stirs their drink. Now we know why every team drinks the Oilers' milkshake with such regularity. Their blueline is weak, and Klefbom is their 98 pound weakling on the beach.

• Bakersfield has won 15 in a row. Good assets are coming, but they want to keep them in the AHL to develop for now.

No, they have to keep them in the AHL because that is the caliber of player they are. Who do they have?

Tyler Benson? Can't skate at the NHL level and his game of hanging around the perimeter is not going to translate to the NHL. Future is an AHL star, or a PP specialist for the Oilers second unit. Other than that, he would be a detriment when he's on the ice.

Kailer Yamamoto? The next Johnny Hockey, amiright? Small and fast, but the ig difference is he doesn't do things at speed. This has been the weakness in his game all along. He can fly without the puck, but get him the puck and he has to slow down to make anything happen. This works at the AHL level, but in the NHL, not so much. Yamamoto will have to turn into a sniper and learn to finish off the one timer, otherwise he won't have much a career in the show. Don't see a player here.

Cooper Marody? We've seen this show before. Guy has a big year in college and comes out early, only to never repeat that glorious year in the college ranks. I see a repeat here. Doesn't have the skills to play and finish at the NHL level with any consistency. If the Oilers are lucky he'll develop into Drake Caggulia, which means they will tire of him and trade him for the next shiny thing a year after he arrives.

That's the best of their forward prospects on the farm. Other than that its a collection of AHL farm hands and never-will-bes. On the blueline, they are just as weak.

Caleb Jones? We've seen what he has to offer. They drafted him because he was the brother of Seth, and the apple must fall far from the tree, right? Well, this apple fell from the tree, got picked up by a eagle, and dropped into a raveen several miles from his family tree. Caleb might turn into a bottom pairing defenseman, but that is if he continues to develop. What we've seen in his call ups, he's got a very long way to go.

Ethan Bear? Remember when Ethan was better than Rasmus Andersson? Remember how his junior exploits made him a guaranteed first team PP QB? It would be nice if he was able to establish that level of play in the minors. Seems his game doesn't quite translate. Big hope is for him to become a bottom pair defenseman who can step up to be a PP specialist. That seems like a fading dream as well.

The Oilers got nothing, NOTHING, in the minors that can support McDavid. Edmonton is a team that can't draft and can't develop. Bakersfield is an armpit just like Edmonton is. That is what their minor league team has to offer. The Condors=No Good!

• GM search has been ongoing for three weeks. This time they will interview a lot of people. Going back to Glen Sather only one person has ever been interviewed for GM. In next two weeks will start approaching teams for permission to speak to candidates.

And in the next two weeks they will be politely turned down by 90% of the candidates. The only thing working in their favor is there are only 32 GM jobs in the NHL, so guys with aspirations of that job may have to swallow their pride (and a bottle of cyanide) and take the interview.

• This team is not that far off. “Mikko” is a key piece; Bakersfield goalies have been very good, but they want to keep them in the AHL to develop.

Let's be honest here. The Condors are riding a red hot 24 year old Shane Starrett. This is a platooning of a couple young guys, this is riding an older goaltender who knows his change at the show is ebbing away.

• Are the Oilers wasting the career of McDavid? He is a great leader; only getting better. Important that he stays positive—he is unbelievably positive. Need to surround him with good players.

Yes, the Oilers are wasting his career.

• So many exciting things in the city! But need to get the team better on ice.

Yes, we know. The river valley. The big mall. The fringefest. Yada yada yada. Has nothing to do with the crap team and the crappier organization.

• Why sign Koskinen? Decided between Talbot and Koskinen, looked at available goalies and decided Koskinen was the best of the whole group.

Big mistake. I suspect the issue was they knew Talbot wanted out of Shelbyville and was unlikely to sign without a big bump. This is the one way the Oilers brass thought they could save face.

• Can turn it around next year—even this year is not impossible. With some “little adjustments” the Oilers could still make the playoffs starting with a good home stand this week.

Did Katz invest in a weed dispensary up in Edmonton, and the front office is his biggest customer? Could still make the playoffs? They are eight points out of the playoffs. Eight, not seven to tie, because the Oilers are five games back in ROW, so they have to get in outright. They are one LA win from being in last place in the western conference. What ever #### they are smoking in the Oilers' front office, they need to share with the public.

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by saXon

Let me tell you a story:

I understand your pain, but living in Edmonton for 2.5 years now I can confidently say that you came in expecting a narrative and fulfilled that narrative. Half your points are situations or embellishments that I have never seen in 30 months of living here.

If your experience in Edmonton is going to West Edmonton mall - on a Family Day long weekend - and likely using the Whitemud or Henday to get there, then what do you expect? That's like defining Calgary by Glenmore/MacLeod Trail and Chinook Mall.

I encourage you next time to visit Garneau/West Oliver/Hawreluk Park/River Valley/Louise Mckinney Park/Rossdale/Whitemud and Blackmud Creek Ravines . . . Lots of outdoor things to do and places to walk. There are more than enough trees in Edmonton to enjoy.

Ugh. I feel dirty defending Edmonton but it's honestly not as bad as you are narrating. However I also find Calgarians particularly create visions in their head of what to expect and hope they come true so they can relay back to the homefront. I used to do it all the time myself.

The Oilers crap though, that's painful and true. Tried to argue with an Oilers fan on the weekend that trading McDavid would be the best thing they could do right now, and all I got was "McDavid makes Edmonton an attractive place to play". I retorted with do you want to be an attractive place to play or to win Stanley Cups? I got the stink eye after that.

[Monahammer]

Originally Posted by saXon

Let me tell you a story:

I just had a family reunion this weekend. My grandfather is having his 90th birthday this week and he’s not doing so well, so the whole family of 50+ strong of aunts, uncles, cousins, cousins children, etc all showed up. My grandpa just happens to live in Edmonton...

Let’s just say this trip was somewhat Jekyll and Hyde for me.

The good: Seeing family I haven’t seen for eons and all old enough to have a few drinks, and see our teenage children hang out together. Saying our last goodbyes to a man who started it all and living a full life of 90 years.

The bad: $2600 out of pocket. (Only worth it for family, otherwise not worth it at all.)
4 days of hell in the worst city on earth. We flew from lower main and my Fiancé had never been to Edmonton. She was excited to go, but I warned her before we went. It was an eye opening experience for her:
-angry rude drivers (no word of a lie, cut off every 10 minutes).
-traffic never stops
-gps for 8 of our family’s phones and a car rental gps wouldn’t work properly, including mine. It took us on a few wild goose chases and circling a few residential blocks even though our destination was main road locations. Looks like google, garmin, and apple don’t give a crap about mapping Edmonton properly
-beer somehow costs more there than in BC.
-West Ed mall hasn’t changed from the dingy 80’s decor. If you reno a building, do the whole thing, don’t pick a hallway or two...
-love me some abused seals
-sweatpants and dress shoes is a real thing
-showers are not a real thing
-my first ever uber driver was a nice guy, but porn stache, camo woods jacket, sweatpants, dess shoes with a gold buckle, aviator glasses, mullet, unshowered, and driving a beautiful brand new cadillac SRX. Retired rigger.
-people cutting in line for everything
-delusional Oilers fans is a reality. Went into the sports memorabilia store and overheard the conversation between 3 middle aged oulers fans. “Oh, there’s a new framed setup eh? Don’t you have that one yet, eh? I don’t! I’m buying it, live the Nuge, top 10 center in the NHL!”
-No trees, Fiance’ asked if there was anything somewhat scenic in Edmonton. I just chuckled
-The airport is horrible, rude security staff to our kids. Yelling orders, made one of our kids cry, and just robotic. I told them off.
-Cold as eff. -30c with no cover.
-nothing to do but shop and spend money
-don’t stay at Sawridge if you have to travel there. Worst staff, rude, breakfast gave my Fiancé and another cousin food poisoning, threaten to charge for everything even though it’s included in the room’s price. Theft from one of the maids turning down an uncle’s room. Front desk night staff won’t answer their supposed 24/7 phone. It just never ended.
-Service at every restaurant is slow as molasses, and always a slurry of “sorry we’re out, or we don’t have that.”

Edmonton is a horrible place

There are 2 or 3 really scenic places in edmonton, you just have to drive through the 20 minutes of industrial zones/ endless strip malls that surround these places from every side.
I've lived here for 11 years now, always thought I would come back but life happens. I actually really love certain parts about edmonton. I think your critique of the food scene here is actually unfair, as I find it is well priced and has great quality and variety compared to other major cities.
The weather, drivers, and about 50% of the population are as bad or worse than you claim. The city planning and infrastructure (and all subsequent repairs/construction) are comically- a toddler has a better chance of having designed usable infrastructure.
However, there is a subset of the population here that are some of the warmest, most optimistic and caring people I have ever met anywhere. It's a weird juxtaposition.
They are still all delusional about the Oilers.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by New Era

...Did Katz invest in a weed dispensary up in Edmonton, and the front office is his biggest customer? Could still make the playoffs? They are eight points out of the playoffs. Eight, not seven to tie, because the Oilers are five games back in ROW, so they have to get in outright. They are one LA win from being in last place in the western conference. What ever #### they are smoking in the Oilers' front office, they need to share with the public.

This was by far the funniest moment in the CBC interview. Nicholson said they could make the playoffs with a good home stand this week, and the interviewer cut him off and said, “they’re one point out of last place...” The incredulity in his voice was palpable.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by Maritime Q-Scout

I'm inclined to disagree.

In 1993 the Cape Breton Oilers won the Calder Cup.

Didn't Wayne Cowley go on to win a Vezina?

Leading scorer in the playoffs, a record that still stands, was future Art Ross and Rocket Richard winner Bill MacDougall.

The VCR line went on to be one of the best in NHL history, Shawn VanAllen, Dan Currie and Stephen Rice.

Didn't Francois Laroux win like a pile of Norris Trophies?

You bastard, I started looking up Wayne Cowley because at my advanced age I don't remember every one who's won a freaking Vezina.



And then I said ahhhhhh good one.