[OOT] November 2, 13 games incl. HNIC matinee

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

I was surprised he mentioned that

also the key part of that quote was "as bad"

sounds like they still have issues, and usually when it gets to that it's either a trade or the GM saying a trade will come if things don't improve soon

MacT basically used option 2 in the summer all ready so I wonder how long they can wait, can't be much longer before the season is a waste with how strong the pacific looks

Agreed, the 'as bad' part is really damning.

4th rebuild in the last decade for the Tier 1 fans to enjoy?

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Oling_Roachinen

Ignoring Yakupov and Nichushkin as the jury is still out, since the 2002 draft only Zherdev, Ovechkin, Malkin, Filatov, and Burmistov, I believe, are Russians taking in the top 10 though. Which is in part because of the Russian factor. So I think that's cherry picking the statistics a bit now, you could just as easily look at it the other way and say 40% of Russian top picks in the last 10 years ended up being the best players in the league.

And 2 of those players, Filatov and Zherdev, were drafted by Columbus who weren't exactly favoured when they chose to go with the Canadians Gilbert Brule with their 6th overall and Alexandre Picard with their 8th overall in between those 2 picks.

Then there's the 2000 draft, that had Torres go 5th overall, where no one picked between the 7th and 17th position are in the NHL today regardless of nationality. So I'm sure Tampa regrets picking the Russian Alexeev 8th overall, but he just simply busted like most of that draft. He came over prior to being drafted, got injured, and was eventually cut from the Hawks after being traded. The Russian factor didn't matter, it was just a terrible draft year.

There's definitely a Russian factor that needs to be accounted for, but if Kovalchuk leaving the NHL after 800+ games and 400+ goals and Burmistov ended up leaving after reaching bust territory are your major concerns, Turris should prevent you from drafting Canadians and Erixon prevent you from drafting Swedes as well.

No they shouldn't... both those players are still trying.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

Just watching After Hours now..........one question to Ference was asking about the division on the team between the younger players and older players and he said 'it's not as bad as I heard it was'.

What the heck is going on with that team?

Almost fell off my chair when I heard that.

If it's not 'as bad as I heard it was' why on earth did you sign there?

Ference is well respected around the league. Those comments will not go unnoticed.

Good luck signing FAs in the future, Edmonton (as if it could actually get worse than it already is)

Honestly, I don't see this as a situation whereby a trade is needed to shake tings up - it looks like a full tear-down, start-over is the only solution.

[Oling_Roachinen]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

No they shouldn't... both those players are still trying.

After forcing their teams to trade them...

[getbak]

Originally Posted by puckluck2

"There is only one other guy in the game who has won more Stanley cups than me so I think I know a little about winning"

"It's not my fault the players aren't following my advice of playing the majority of their careers on the same team as Mark Messier in his prime."

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

I was surprised he mentioned that

also the key part of that quote was "as bad"

sounds like they still have issues, and usually when it gets to that it's either a trade or the GM saying a trade will come if things don't improve soon

MacT basically used option 2 in the summer all ready so I wonder how long they can wait, can't be much longer before the season is a waste with how strong the pacific looks

Sounds like the divisions in the dressing room that the Flames were dealing with for four or five years. If the Oilers want to fix things they have to change that. Even if it means moving several of their top players. Nothing will ever get better until the chemistry on the team is squared away. The Flames took years to figure it out. I suspect the Oilers will do the same.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Oling_Roachinen

After forcing their teams to trade them...

Not saying I like or respect either one.

But at least with a trade, you get assets back.

When guys go crying home to Russia, all the GM gets for it is experience.

[Mean Mr. Mustard]

That may have been the worst I have ever seen a NHL team play in the Oilers-Red Wings game. There wasn't any drive from any of the players, just an absolute lack of compete from the drop of the puck until the end of the game. I don't think that I saw a single rush that looked even half dangerous. They have been shut out twice in a row at home and haven't looked remotely dangerous in either game. I honestly just think that they aren't a very good hockey team, they have no identity. There is talent but there isn't much else. It would be one thing if the games were close or there was improvement, but it just seems like the team is stagnating.

I would say that I wouldn't give up on Yakopov yet, he has some NHL level talent but frankly he isn't a player you would get much for at the current time, so why would the Oilers trade him.

[browna]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

That is a revealing comment from Ference.

The revealing part for me is the "as he heard". As I mentioned in another thread, its pretty clear the poisonous atmosphere propagated and fostered by Lowe over the past decade is well known by the players and agents around the PA, and the Oilers are an "avoid at all costs" type situation when players are exploring options.

This prevents, even for the best GM, assembling a decent supporting cast to help the rookies out, as the Oilers options are overpaying free agents with question marks about them, picking up players that don't have NMC's, or drafting players.

As for signing there despite all that, Ference has always been an odd cat, that almost revels in going against the grain. Helps they gave him a handsome contract, and the captaincy and it's his hometown, but I don't doubt that he doesn't mind the challenge in some sort of twisted way.

[Ashasx]

Maybe slightly OT, but the Oilers' consecutive sellout streak at Rexall ended last night against the Red Wings. First time the building hasn't sold out since before the 04/05 lockout.

[Goodlad]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

Maybe slightly OT, but the Oilers' consecutive sellout streak at Rexall ended last night against the Red Wings. First time the building hasn't sold out since before the 04/05 lockout.

Is that really true? I'd be surprised to see it end on a Saturday game against the Red Wings. Seems like that would be one that would get a lot of casual fans out.

Edit: After a quick google Nhl.com had the attendance at 16,389 and Rexall's capacity is 16,839. Looks like it was probably just a typo on NHL.com's part (which wouldn't be their first).

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by Goodlad

Is that really true? I'd be surprised to see it end on a Saturday game against the Red Wings. Seems like that would be one that would get a lot of casual fans out.

Edit: After a quick google Nhl.com had the attendance at 16,389 and Rexall's capacity is 16,839. Looks like it was probably just a typo on NHL.com's part (which wouldn't be their first).

http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreport...4/GS020210.HTM

Attendance last night was 16,389. Capacity is 16,839.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by Goodlad

Is that really true? I'd be surprised to see it end on a Saturday game against the Red Wings. Seems like that would be one that would get a lot of casual fans out.

Edit: After a quick google Nhl.com had the attendance at 16,389 and Rexall's capacity is 16,839. Looks like it was probably just a typo on NHL.com's part (which wouldn't be their first).

Yeah, I almost started a thread on it but I think it's wrong. The last three digits are probably just mixed. The Red Wing factor alone, on a Saturday night would be shocking if it wasn't a sell out.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by browna

As for signing there despite all that, Ference has always been an odd cat, that almost revels in going against the grain. Helps they gave him a handsome contract, and the captaincy and it's his hometown, but I don't doubt that he doesn't mind the challenge in some sort of twisted way.

Ference's decision is logical, actually. He's an Edmonton native and he's won the Cup with Boston. This is probably his final contract, and I think the idea of coming home to resurrect his hometown team as his NHL finale likely appealed. The dump truck full of money undoubtedly helped too.

And all things being equal, he's earning his dump truck full of money. Sitting at -2 on that team should put you in Norris Trophy consideration.

[Magnum PEI]

Originally Posted by Goodlad

Edit: After a quick google Nhl.com had the attendance at 16,389 and Rexall's capacity is 16,839. Looks like it was probably just a typo on NHL.com's part (which wouldn't be their first).

Yeah definitely seems fishy. They have B. SMITH listed for each Detroit penalty.

[jayswin]

Plus, although I don't know the exact numbers, I heard Edmonton, like Calgary has maxed out season tickets sales with a cap. On top of that, they claimed to sellout most games the day they went on sale, the same way the Flames used to in the mid 2000's.

I think it's pretty clear that was a typo, there's just no way a team with capped season ticket sales, and almost of a decade of straight sellouts, and a tiny building, just randomly doesn't sellout a Saturday night game against Detroit. No way.