[PST] Preliminary Round/Division semi-final: Jets vs. Oilers---Winniipeg sweeps series 4-0

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by transplant99

So Pierre McGuire was on radio in Ottawa this morning and absolutely roasted the Oilers from top to bottom.

Of course PomPom Staples couldn't get to the keyboard fast enough to spin and defend every single point made. Its really embarrassing.

McDavid and Draisaitl are just fine defensively thanks very much. LOL

https://edmontonjournal.com/sports/h...e-mcguire-hmmm

Here's McGuire's audio
https://www.tsn.ca/radio/ottawa-1200...year-1.1644928

[CSharp]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

This is a difficult off season, the smart move is to trade Draisaitl for a raft full of depth as his value will never be higher, though its clear that they don't trust him to run his own line.

That ain't gonna happen. The only reason why Draisaitl is paired with McDavid is so they can double shift him. Right now, Draisaitl is just as important to the franchise as McDavid is. You can replace everyone on the team, but you can't just trade away one of the franchise players and replace them with depth that may never work out. Having 2 untouchables is still way better than having just one. No way in hell Oilers trade Draisaitl. Pens sure didn't have Malkin on the trading blocks even when they have a young healthy Crosby. I don't even think the Pens are willing to trade Malkin even if he's currently hurt for the next year.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Azhouse

Does anyone actually like Maclean? The best part of Maclean was playing straight man to Cherry until he sold Cherry down the river. I would take Strombo (or anyone else) over him any day.

Strombo was nothing but square peg/round hole.

cringe worthy stuff.

With Ron he is going to rub hard core fans the wrong way but he appeals greatly to the average hockey fan and its why his longetivity in that role is where it is. He connects with his audience and that is something very few people can do.

He is the highest paid member of HNIC by a mile I would think so if he was not worth it, he would be replaced in a heart beat as Rogers has been purging anyone they could for 3 years now to save money.

Last nights fellating of McDavid after the second period was as bad as it gets for what should be an impartial panel but its pretty clear SN was hoping to have the McDavid narrative to ride throughout the playoffs. All of them just being good soldiers...if you will.

The Oilers going out in 4 is the worst thing that could happen to them short of the Leafs getting bounced early....from a business perspective.

Like every other aspect of pro sports now...its just business.

I chose to stop watching between periods myself but found myself wanting to know what Bieksa said because he is really quite brilliant in the role they have given him.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by CSharp

That ain't gonna happen. The only reason why Draisaitl is paired with McDavid is so they can double shift him. Right now, Draisaitl is just as important to the franchise as McDavid is. You can replace everyone on the team, but you can't just trade away one of the franchise players and replace them with depth that may never work out. Having 2 untouchables is still way better than having just one. No way in hell Oilers trade Draisaitl. Pens sure didn't have Malkin on the trading blocks even when they have a young healthy Crosby. I don't even think the Pens are willing to trade Malkin even if he's currently hurt for the next year.

Trading a star player for depth never works out. The kind of depth the Oilers need you can get from trades and UFA signings. The Oilers are horrendous at both.

Look at the quality of the players the Oilers are trading for:

http://www.nhltradetracker.com/user/...onton_Oilers/1

With the chance to play with McDavid, how do the Oilers not manage to sign big UFAs?

[zamler]

McDavid is the THE elephant in the room. Regular season stats padding phenom that is too entitled to pay the price in the playoffs.

[Barnet Flame]

Originally Posted by Otto-matic

Hey Mike.

From the collective flames fan base.

Does it feel good to see you choke in the playoffs.

YUP

I wanted to thank this post, but can’t.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Counterpoint: Patrick Kane and Nikita Kucherov are two of the most prolific playoff producers and neither is known for grinding.

Counter-counterpoint: Sweepy McJesus is no good.

[868904]

Originally Posted by Barnet Flame

I wanted to thank this post, but can’t.

I don't really get hate for Smith from a Flames fan. Sure he's not the best teammate but the guy was the only guy to show up for the Flames against Colorado.

I get that he plays for the Oilers, but he played his heart out for the Flames when it mattered.

Not sure why we need to attack the guy personally on his twitter. Let's just laugh at him for being an Oiler. Now if you want to personally attack the HNIC panelists and the CBC for their Oiler cocksucking, go right ahead, they deserve it.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

lol.

The Oilers stars are committed. Sometimes. It's a work in progress. But don't you dare say they are not good defensively!

Their #1 centre and Franchise player coughed up the puck and then just quit and watched Winnipeg blow the series winning goal past their goalie like he wasnt even there.

McDavid was 100+ feet away and he didnt even try.

He is literally in the opposition's end watching his team lose off his own turnover and not caring whatsoever.

"I lost the puck...oh well. Its over now? I can go back to my black and white void then I guess...."

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by 868904

...I get that he plays for the Oilers, but he played his heart out for the Flames when it mattered...

No, he didn't. Smith was gawd-awful in Game #5 when the Flames needed him the most.

[taxbuster]

Late to the party here...went to bed after the end of 1 OT and put on the recording. Was so delighted when I woke up this am and checked the score! Spent my coffee time watching the meltdown of the Sportsnet panel afterwards. Brilliant!

[D as in David]

Originally Posted by Locke

Their #1 centre and Franchise player coughed up the puck and then just quit and watched Winnipeg blow the series winning goal past their goalie like he wasnt even there.

McDavid was 100+ feet away and he didnt even try.

He is literally in the opposition's end watching his team lose off his own turnover and not caring whatsoever.

"I lost the puck...oh well. Its over now? I can go back to my black and white void then I guess...."

I think you need to give him a break here. He was battling his instincts which were telling him to get off the ice so that he wouldn't take the "-".

[Erick Estrada]

Smith had a few moments for the Flames in the regular season and Avs series where he was very good but he was god awful in the 2018/19 season. I'm sure the Sigalet factor has something to do with that but to me he's just not a very likeable player whether he's on your team or not. Throws teammates under the bus and never accepts blame when he plays poorly. He was probably the Oilers best player against the Jets but that doesn't mean I have to like him.

[Boreal]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Strombo was nothing but square peg/round hole.

cringe worthy stuff.

With Ron he is going to rub hard core fans the wrong way but he appeals greatly to the average hockey fan and its why his longetivity in that role is where it is. He connects with his audience and that is something very few people can do.

He is the highest paid member of HNIC by a mile I would think so if he was not worth it, he would be replaced in a heart beat as Rogers has been purging anyone they could for 3 years now to save money.

Last nights fellating of McDavid after the second period was as bad as it gets for what should be an impartial panel but its pretty clear SN was hoping to have the McDavid narrative to ride throughout the playoffs. All of them just being good soldiers...if you will.

The Oilers going out in 4 is the worst thing that could happen to them short of the Leafs getting bounced early....from a business perspective.

Like every other aspect of pro sports now...its just business.

I chose to stop watching between periods myself but found myself wanting to know what Bieksa said because he is really quite brilliant in the role they have given him.

Strombo might be "cringe-worthy" to the traditional hockey audience, but he was brought in to grow the game for Rogers.

He was elite at pulling information out of potatoes like Nick Kypreos. Maclean constantly polishes their shoes. George never acted like an expert, Ron frequently does. Ron also can't hold a candle to George's ability to interview anyone on any topic.

Losing Strombo was a huge mistake, hockey is patently inaccessible for a growing number of people, and the Raptor's success two years ago has only drawn more kids away from the sport.

Believing Bieksa is brilliant is a testament to the CBC sports broadcasting machine and template.

If you don't believe me, go and listen to his podcast with Kesler. It's two ego's pumping each other tires and pretty much unlistenable. They say insightful things from time to time, but it's like picking strawberries grown in manure. Unsurprisingly they couldn't find sponsors and ended it.

Kevin is and has been coached. Good on him, he's figuring out the profession. They give him space to give his thoughts, and they all act like he just did a magic trick. Someone like Versteeg is a 1000% more insightful, with 1/2 the ego, and without requiring the same level of coaching.

[flamingred89]

Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed

13 points in 17 career playoff games is certainly NOT “ok” for a player like him.

Its laughably bad. 17 Career playoff games through 6 seasons is even worse.

Ovechkin, who was the black sheep for playoff performance, had 51 playoff games through his first 6 seasons and he was consistently roasted until he finally won a cup.

[Oling_Roachinen]

Originally Posted by Jacks

I would hope that Connor is calling his teammates and apologizing for yelling at them for half the game yesterday when once again it was him coughing up the puck leading to the GWG.

I hope all of his teammates are phoning him up and apologizing for being useless. Without him, they are mathematically eliminated from the playoffs on opening day.

[transplant99]

You should be running Rogers.

Strombo was an abject failure and there is no other way to spin it. If he was working he would have been retained...instead he was getting people to turn away from his show. People didn't like him in that role because he simply didn't have the chops. Great with music and such but not a guy for sports.

And yes Bieksa is tremendous at what he has been asked to do, not sure how that is a controversy?

[Young Guns]

Hard to not place blame on Tippett for last nights loss. Playing 2 lines all night going into the 6th period. Draisuckl and McStupid were absolutely gassed and that no doubt contributed to the winning goal.

Who would want to sign in Edmonton as a free agent? Its not even an option for them 2 players to come off the ice until the 2 minute powerplay is over. Who wants to go there and sit on the bench all night watching the two ice hogs.

[FanIn80]

Bieksa is great. I wish they'd give him his own segment with David Amber feeding him material. That should be the whole intermission, and I would watch every minute of it.

[Boreal]

Originally Posted by transplant99

You should be running Rogers.

Strombo was an abject failure and there is no other way to spin it. If he was working he would have been retained...instead he was getting people to turn away from his show. People didn't like him in that role because he simply didn't have the chops. Great with music and such but not a guy for sports.

And yes Bieksa is tremendous at what he has been asked to do, not sure how that is a controversy?

You should really listen or read more hockey professionals work if you think Bieksa's competency is "tremendous" at what he does. However, your perspective on George validates the dinosaur thought process of hockey culture. Go check out the Coaches site as a good start.

Strombo was let go because of his big-ticket, which is a fact. We've seen since is a trend to cut costs. Or was Bob McCowan also an abject failure?