[News] Oilers fire Tippett. Jay Woodcroft to be named HC

[Heavy Jack]

But having a sound defence in place is a key component to having a great offence. The two are synonymous IMO.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by Major Major

Great point. McDavid is also now 55th in the league at ESP/60.
62nd at defense, 55th at offense... Sounds like your run of the mill middle 6 player.

He’s about $8M overpaid.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Heavy Jack

But having a sound defence in place is a key component to having a great offence. The two are synonyms IMO.

Synonymous?

But correct. You will never have one without the other and be successful.

[Heavy Jack]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Synonymous?

But correct. You will never have one without the other and be successful.

Yea when I was typing that I knew that wasn’t the word I was looking for but it’s the same idea. Sorry in advance textcritic!

[Oil Stain]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Also, no one is criticizing Gaudreau and Tkachuk. In fact, they are being lauded all over the media as the best line in the NHL. But they probably just have a poor understanding of hockey.

Gaudreau and Tkachuk have been heavily criticised when the team hasn't had success in the past.

Turns out getting great goaltending and a strong system has a substantial effect on the narrative.

This is just like the old Yzerman narrative that he commited to defence and then the Red Wings won. Really discounts the contributions of guys like Fedorov and Lidstrom who showed up shortly before the Wings started winning Cups.

People look for an easy answer and a lot of the time that answer is just blaming the face of the team.

[Heavy Jack]

But here’s the kicker Oilstain - the Flames have bought in as opposed to making another coach walk the plank. Let’s see if Woodcroft can get the wonder twins to buy in but I’m certainly not about to hold my breath.

With regards to goaltending well I’m not too sure how many options the Oilers have to improve that and it’s through their own mismanagement they find themselves in this position.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Oil Stain

Gaudreau and Tkachuk have been heavily criticised when the team hasn't had success in the past.

Turns out getting great goaltending and a strong system has a substantial effect on the narrative.

This is just like the old Yzerman narrative that he commited to defence and then the Red Wings won. Really discounts the contributions of guys like Fedorov and Lidstrom who showed up shortly before the Wings started winning Cups.

People look for an easy answer and a lot of the time that answer is just blaming the face of the team.

LOL

Yeah, it's just narrative.

Absolutely embarrassing take. You might want to take another 2-month hiatus.

[Boreal]

Originally Posted by Oil Stain

Gaudreau and Tkachuk have been heavily criticised when the team hasn't had success in the past.

Turns out getting great goaltending and a strong system has a substantial effect on the narrative.

This is just like the old Yzerman narrative that he commited to defence and then the Red Wings won. Really discounts the contributions of guys like Fedorov and Lidstrom who showed up shortly before the Wings started winning Cups.

People look for an easy answer and a lot of the time that answer is just blaming the face of the team.

Nice false equivalency… how was your hiatus?

[TheSquatch]

This is getting silly.

[midniteowl]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

LOL

Yeah, it's just narrative.

Absolutely embarrassing take. You might want to take another 2-month hiatus.

Betcha if the Oilers win tonight, he'll hang around.

[timbit]

Not any NHL team has the offensive firepower or superstars , that are gifted enough to disregard defensive responsibility.

Every team has the ability to be good defensively, if every player has the commitment to be responsible and committed without the puck. This defensive commitment does not exclude any team member. Therefore, it edifies the inter player relationships.

Hence , a cohesive and almost always successful team is built on commitment to hard work, high compete level, won battles, and smart decisions with and without the puck.

Obviously, superior goaltending is a must.

Look at the SC teams over the last decade. It’s the norm, not the exception.

I believe that is who the Flames are, currently.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by Oil Stain

That's the narrative, but its not true based on the stats.

In GA/60 5 on 5 for players with over 500+ minutes, McDavid sits 62 out of 193 forwards.

That's not bad.

I guess you could criticize McDavid for not being an Art Ross and Selke finalist at the same time, but that's kind of a crazy criticism isn't it?

I feel like the fans/media that criticize guys like McDavid, or for the Flames, Iginla/Gaudreau/Tkachuk for the team's lack of success are people that either have a poor understanding of hockey or have an agenda.

And this isn't concerning to you? Wtf? With the amount of ice time the wonder twins get you'd think they'd get more points 5v5. Boy are they in for a rough one come playoff time again. And that's me being generous because I don't think they even get in the playoffs.

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by Oil Stain

Gaudreau and Tkachuk have been heavily criticised when the team hasn't had success in the past.

Turns out getting great goaltending and a strong system has a substantial effect on the narrative.

This is just like the old Yzerman narrative that he commited to defence and then the Red Wings won. Really discounts the contributions of guys like Fedorov and Lidstrom who showed up shortly before the Wings started winning Cups.

People look for an easy answer and a lot of the time that answer is just blaming the face of the team.

It’s institutional and cultural.

Originally Posted by Oil Stain

Nicaragua

Weird.

I watched the Flames rinse the Leafs last night here in Costa Rica.

[Oil Stain]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

And this isn't concerning to you? Wtf? With the amount of ice time the wonder twins get you'd think they'd get more points 5v5. Boy are they in for a rough one come playoff time again. And that's me being generous because I don't think they even get in the playoffs.

Why would McDavid being top 60 in GA/60 be concerning?

It's better than Stamkos, Huberdeau, Point, Kadri, the big three in Toronto etc.

Expecting McDavid to be a player that doesn't exist is kind of nuts to me. I get blaming management, but blaming players for not being demi-gods never makes sense.

[McG]

I wonder when the narrative catches up and Mavi and Pissy are recognized as coach killers?

If not now, when?

[Macindoc]

Originally Posted by Oil Stain

Why would McDavid being top 60 in GA/60 be concerning?

It's better than Stamkos, Huberdeau, Point, Kadri, the big three in Toronto etc.

Expecting McDavid to be a player that doesn't exist is kind of nuts to me.

Johnny Gaudreau says hi. GF% 80.70,

[Indomitable]

Originally Posted by Oil Stain

Gaudreau and Tkachuk have been heavily criticised when the team hasn't had success in the past.

Turns out getting great goaltending and a strong system has a substantial effect on the narrative.

This is just like the old Yzerman narrative that he commited to defence and then the Red Wings won. Really discounts the contributions of guys like Fedorov and Lidstrom who showed up shortly before the Wings started winning Cups.

People look for an easy answer and a lot of the time that answer is just blaming the face of the team.

The old Yzerman narrative holds a significant amount of water. The reason being is that it's true. Yzerman changed into the player Bowman wanted him to be. The Russian 5 did their thing and they won a cup at least one if not 2, also a historic presidents trophy if I'm not mistaken. They also met a limo disaster. You tell me who won? Also, for as many years the russian 5 dominated the NHL (I watched them and they were incredidble) how many years did they win international competitions? Fedorov was nothing without Bowman and or Yzerman. Even though he wanted to be.

[Indomitable]

Originally Posted by Indomitable

The old Yzerman narrative holds a significant amount of water. The reason being is that it's true. Yzerman changed into the player Bowman wanted him to be. The Russian 5 did their thing and they won a cup at least one if not 2, also a historic presidents trophy if I'm not mistaken. They also met a limo disaster. You tell me who won? Also, for as many years the russian 5 dominated the NHL (I watched them and they were incredidble) how many years did they win international competitions? Fedorov was nothing without Bowman and or Yzerman. Even though he wanted to be.

And at the end of the day. Each Detroit team won their cups with Mike Vernon (Conn Smythe) and what's his face Osgood... yeah... Chris Osgood. Are you kidding me? Have you looked at your goaltenders yet Oilstain?

[GioforPM]

Woodcroft should quit today, while he’s ahead.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by Oil Stain

Gaudreau and Tkachuk have been heavily criticised when the team hasn't had success in the past.

Turns out getting great goaltending and a strong system has a substantial effect on the narrative.

This is just like the old Yzerman narrative that he commited to defence and then the Red Wings won. Really discounts the contributions of guys like Fedorov and Lidstrom who showed up shortly before the Wings started winning Cups.

People look for an easy answer and a lot of the time that answer is just blaming the face of the team.

Let's see, strong systems coaches that have been turfed: McLellan, Hitchcock, Tippett

Let's see, good goaltenders that struggled in Edmonton and found success elsewhere: Dubnyk, Talbot (who is still doing quite well elsewhere, might I add). I seem to remember the fans running him out of town following one down year after several strong years. The team's struggles were all the fault of the goaltenders, but it turns out that narrative is not and has never been true.

So I have to say, I'm calling this out as bull####. This is a systematic issue with the organization over the years of not holding the young stars more accountable for their defensive development and leadership roles in creating a strong team play. It also has a LOT to do with some horrible GMs who continuously provide little to no quality support for the stars so they feel like they have to abandon the team game plan and play an individual offensive game in order to give the team a chance to win. If there was a lesson on how to NOT build a team around two superstars, this would be in a textbook.

The culture of the franchise has enabled these poor behaviors, and you can see it in any metric you want to look at over the years. Now it has become so engrained in who they are as pros that it would take a seismic shift in their careers (like getting traded) before they decide to make a change. That's not going to happen with the culture in Edmonton and so they will continue to languish.

Spector's piece the other day was bang on, but instead of others chiming in and noting where he was correct and maybe quibbling over a few minor points, he's currently being chastised and vilified by the fans and other media members. Again, this is a cultural issue surrounding the Oilers. Nobody is ever allowed to assess accurately and provide meaningful critique, so this will continue. Change only comes from being uncomfortable, and everyone is too comfy.

In short, it's time you realized something that everyone else here and around the league has realized.

Edmonton. Is. No. Good.