"The Edmonton Oilers are a useless franchise"

[moon]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

Eberle has played quite a few meaningful games and come up huge in almost all them

what an ill informed comment

Quite a few?

He's played maybe 4 meaningful games at the WJHC and built his rep on a play in which others did the hard lifting and he got the lucky bounce.

He didn't play in meaningful games in junior despite having a lot of talent around him his teams sucked, he hasn't played meaningful games in the NHL so I guess he can live of the rep of the hard work of Ellis and Tavares and be labeled "clutch" and a "big game" player. Much easier to keep these labels if you avoid playing in big games or clutch situations.

[AlbertaOiler72]

Originally Posted by AR_Six

Okay, hold the F on. I am fully on board with the notion that Eberle is being overhyped and should by no means have been top 30 on TSN's list. But if I have faith in anyone's ability to step up in a big game on that Oiler team it's Eberle.

let me guess...unsustainable shooting %? didn't the stats guys say that Eberle couldn't sustain it this year in OKC?

how's that working out for them

funny thing about simply looking at stats...you can manipulate them anyway you want

kinda like "corsi king" Shawn Horcoff

[St. Pats]

I'd rather they were relevant again and the Flames were as well. Both teams sucking makes the whole thing to me really boring.

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

Eberle has played quite a few meaningful games and come up huge in almost all them

what an ill informed comment

Not at the pro level. Unless 'winning' the first overall pick is one of them.

Jumping over Ian white does not count.

[The Yen Man]

Originally Posted by St. Pats

I'd rather they were relevant again and the Flames were as well. Both teams sucking makes the whole thing to me really boring.

Honestly, nothing would make me happier than to see them perennial bottom feeders, and cannon fodder for the Flames. I get as much if not more joy out of seeing the Flames blow out the Oilers than I do the Flames winning close games against them.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by The Yen Man

I also kind of agree with the article about RNH. To be fair to the greasers, they probably didn't expect to finish 2nd last, but the reality is, they did, and they wasted a year of RNH. They also screwed up by putting him in when he wasn't physically ready to handle it yet. I'm not a doctor, but it always seems like once you injure a shoulder, it's going to make it easier to re-injure it in the future. If he gets rocked with a big hit this year, he could be out again pretty quick.

Sure but...does he learn anything in the WHL if he goes back at 18? They couldn't send him to the AHL which would have been ideal.

I disagree with that part of the article. RNH showed he can play at the NHL level. He isn't comparable to cases like James Sheppard, Gilbert Brule, Rico Fata, Derrick Brassard and other kids who were rushed too early, lost confidence and had their careers derailed. Playing in the NHL was better for RNH's development than playing in junior IMO. And they've got a year of chemistry building with the other franchise forwards in EDM. And the Oilers can afford to lose one of his cheap years.

[moon]

Yep the way their d-bag fan base has acted over the past 4 years (and really way beyond that as well) has me hoping that they are forever the last place losers they have been. Luckily it seems that they are content keeping Lowe and Tambellini in place so that should continue.

If the fanbase had shown even a little reality or humility and admitted that the team was going through tough times and not the greatest team ever with the greatest potential ever then perhaps I would look forward to the rivalry but the garbage coming from up North from the fans and media has been way too much lately.

[AR_Six]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Sure but...does he learn anything in the WHL if he goes back at 18? They couldn't send him to the AHL which would have been ideal.

I disagree with that part of the article. RNH showed he can play at the NHL level. He isn't comparable to cases like James Sheppard, Gilbert Brule, Rico Fata, Derrick Brassard and other kids who were rushed too early, lost confidence and had their careers derailed. Playing in the NHL was better for RNH's development than playing in junior IMO. And they've got a year of chemistry building with the other franchise forwards in EDM. And the Oilers can afford to lose one of his cheap years.

The point of the article is that you only get 3 years of ELC once your player starts playing in the NHL. That's why guys get sent down after 9 games. If the Oilers had waited for next season to start him, they would have 2013-2016 with RNH playing on the first line on a really affordable cap hit. Instead they have until next season. Then they have to cough up the dough. All they got in return was 110 games or so, and no actual team success in the meantime. I doubt the AHL would have stunted his growth - the Red Wings don't seem to mind leaving all their guys in the lesser pro leagues until they're 22.

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by AR_Six

The point of the article is that you only get 3 years of ELC once your player starts playing in the NHL. That's why guys get sent down after 9 games. If the Oilers had waited for next season to start him, they would have 2013-2016 with RNH playing on the first line on a really affordable cap hit. Instead they have until next season. Then they have to cough up the dough. All they got in return was 110 games or so, and no actual team success in the meantime. I doubt the AHL would have stunted his growth - the Red Wings don't seem to mind leaving all their guys in the lesser pro leagues until they're 22.

This is the best part about the TSN oiler hype train! It made the Oilers believe they were a playoff contender. All aboard!

[Username: Flames]

Canuck fan who's jealous of the Oilers' young players. Especially since the Canucks have no real prospects. Give them a few years and the media will start talking about the Canucks like they have about the Flames over the past few years.

Total troll article, but still brought up some good points. Oilers totally should not have burned RHN's 1st ELC year. He was way too small to play last year and injured his shoulder. I won't be surprised if that shoulder bugs him for the rest of his career. Also, Eberle has been overhyped. I feel bad for the guy because I think he's a good player, but I don't believe he's as clutch as everyone seems to think he is.

[Bertuzzied]

I'm still trying to figure out why they traded Hodgeson to Buffalo! hahahaha.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by AR_Six

The point of the article is that you only get 3 years of ELC once your player starts playing in the NHL. That's why guys get sent down after 9 games. If the Oilers had waited for next season to start him, they would have 2013-2016 with RNH playing on the first line on a really affordable cap hit. Instead they have until next season. Then they have to cough up the dough. All they got in return was 110 games or so, and no actual team success in the meantime. I doubt the AHL would have stunted his growth - the Red Wings don't seem to mind leaving all their guys in the lesser pro leagues until they're 22.

He couldn't play in the AHL last year, did you actually read my post? It was junior or the NHL and he had already completely dominated junior.

And who cares if they have to pay him big bucks one year earlier? If people feel strongly about RNH losing one year of his cheap contract then I guess they must think Jeff Skinner should've been back in junior in his 18 year old too. And Hall. And Seguin. The list goes on. Should PIT have not brought in Crosby when they did so they could keep him on a cheap contract longer? Of course not.

Bottom line to me is that if an 18 year old can excel in the NHL then that is the best place for him to develop. Clearly RNH was excelling in the NHL at age 18. You only send the kid back if you think he's not ready, if you think his development is best served back in junior.

[Brannigans Law]

Originally Posted by moon

Quite a few?

He's played maybe 4 meaningful games at the WJHC and built his rep on a play in which others did the hard lifting and he got the lucky bounce.

He didn't play in meaningful games in junior despite having a lot of talent around him his teams sucked, he hasn't played meaningful games in the NHL so I guess he can live of the rep of the hard work of Ellis and Tavares and be labeled "clutch" and a "big game" player. Much easier to keep these labels if you avoid playing in big games or clutch situations.

I don't want to start a fight or anything but it seems that if they aren't wearing Stampeder or Flame red you will find a way to trash almost anyone. Eberle is the only young Edmonton product who's shown to be a true star in the making and I'd love him in a Flames jersey.

[AR_Six]

I actually think the ELC issue is kind of a moot point because the bigger deal is UFA eligibility which happens at 25 instead of 27, and by then I imagine Steve Tambellini will probably not still be the GM of the Oilers so he's probably not terribly worried about it.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Brannigans Law

I don't want to start a fight or anything but it seems that if they aren't wearing Stampeder or Flame red you will find a way to trash almost anyone. Eberle is the only young Edmonton product who's shown to be a true star in the making and I'd love him in a Flames jersey.

No Moon trashes lots of Flames too. He's just a miserable guy.

[The Yen Man]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

He couldn't play in the AHL last year, did you actually read my post? It was junior or the NHL and he had already completely dominated junior.

And who cares if they have to pay him big bucks one year earlier? If people feel strongly about RNH losing one year of his cheap contract then I guess they must think Jeff Skinner should've been back in junior in his 18 year old too. And Hall. And Seguin. The list goes on. Should PIT have not brought in Crosby when they did so they could keep him on a cheap contract longer? Of course not.

Bottom line to me is that if an 18 year old can excel in the NHL then that is the best place for him to develop. Clearly RNH was excelling in the NHL at age 18. You only send the kid back if you think he's not ready, if you think his development is best served back in junior.

I think skill wise he was ready, but I'd argue physically he wasn't yet. You may be right in that the NHL helped him develop more, but I'd argue they should have put him back in junior for at least one more year so he could bulk up. Who knows if that shoulder's going to be a nagging injury. All I'm saying is, for the Oilers and RNH's sake, they better hope it's not.

[moon]

Originally Posted by Brannigans Law

I don't want to start a fight or anything but it seems that if they aren't wearing Stampeder or Flame red you will find a way to trash almost anyone. Eberle is the only young Edmonton product who's shown to be a true star in the making and I'd love him in a Flames jersey.

Not really sure what this has to do with the amount of times he has played in meaningful games which is what my post was addressing.

But not sure how Hall or RNH haven't shown that they could be stars in the making if Eberle has.

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

No Moon trashes lots of Flames too. He's just a miserable guy.

LOL

[The Yen Man]

Originally Posted by Brannigans Law

I don't want to start a fight or anything but it seems that if they aren't wearing Stampeder or Flame red you will find a way to trash almost anyone. Eberle is the only young Edmonton product who's shown to be a true star in the making and I'd love him in a Flames jersey.

I'm actually quite suprised by Moon's opinion of Eberle. From previous posts, he's the biggest fan of Team Canada WJ teams. I would have expected him to talk glowingly of Eberle.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by The Yen Man

I think skill wise he was ready, but I'd argue physically he wasn't yet. You may be right in that the NHL helped him develop more, but I'd argue they should have put him back in junior for at least one more year so he could bulk up. Who knows if that shoulder's going to be a nagging injury. All I'm saying is, for the Oilers and RNH's sake, they better hope it's not.

No guarantee he doesn't get injured in the WHL either. It's a physical league and he would've been the prime target of opposition teams all year long. His bulking up process is simply a matter of time, not at what level he's playing at. He doesn't bulk up quicker playing in the WHL, players generally bulk up in the offseason.

[Tinordi]

Interesting to observe the painful reconciliation process us Flames fans are having to the prospect of the Oilers finally being the better team.