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

[Ped]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

The Hall and Eberle trades make a lot more sense now after that interview. Also, I do remember that there were 'cliques' on that Edmonton squad that Ference was on. I remember he was on one clique with some other vets and Yakupov, while Hall, Eberle and I forgot whom else was on the other. At any rate, the Edmonton Oilers didn't put a stop to it and I bet that is one of the mitigating factors as to why they have such trouble developing players there. Remember when Hartley came down on Monahan and Gaudreau (and Bouma) the day after the 'Superbowl Incident'? That's what professional teams do - force their players to be professionals. Sure, go party - but don't you even think about breaking a team rule or showing up to practice late and/or not giving a full effort.

It's largely forgotten now but iirc there was a real belief before they were traded that the Oilers had to trade Hall and Eberle and would get far below what fans perceived their value was, largely due to the fact that Edmonton had gone nowhere on their watch, and culture was seen to be a huge issue.


Clearly, since those issues have persisted, there were more issues, but that doesn't mean that Hall and Eberle weren't a huge part of those issues. Weren't they roommates too or something? I thought I remembered a video of them showing off their apartment.

[Eric Vail]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

It is puzzling why he stood up for Eakins in that interview. Ok, maybe his systems and one-on-one coaching sessions MAY have been underrated or something, but to have guys partying every night AND not going hard in practice? Anyone think Darryl Sutter would put up with it? Or Bill Peters right now? Or Bob Hartley? Ok, maybe these are more demanding coaches, but I don't think I would see that from guys like Mike Babcock, Quenneville, Trotz.. heck Green in Vancouver probably wouldn't stand for it.

Being a good coach in the NHL is not just about your X's and O's. It is about managing the players and making sure that the team is professional on and off the ice. I don't think that Hitchcock would be putting up with any of those shenanigans either. Maybe that is why the Oilers have been better since they hired him?

The Hall and Eberle trades make a lot more sense now after that interview. Also, I do remember that there were 'cliques' on that Edmonton squad that Ference was on. I remember he was on one clique with some other vets and Yakupov, while Hall, Eberle and I forgot whom else was on the other. At any rate, the Edmonton Oilers didn't put a stop to it and I bet that is one of the mitigating factors as to why they have such trouble developing players there. Remember when Hartley came down on Monahan and Gaudreau (and Bouma) the day after the 'Superbowl Incident'? That's what professional teams do - force their players to be professionals. Sure, go party - but don't you even think about breaking a team rule or showing up to practice late and/or not giving a full effort.

I think the players realized they were bigger than the coach and would simply outlast him. Sometimes the coach needs the GM to back him up with a trade. That never happened for Eakins.

I would agree that Eakins probably needed to do more to reign in the party boys. I can't believe they had a derogatory name for someone who tried in practice - like that player was the problem. What a lazy, unprofessional group! The Oilers were powerless to do anything about it. E=ng

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Weitz

In 2016-2017 teams on average earned -0.04 points when playing on 0 nights of rest then when they played on 1 night of rest. It has been higher in the years before that but it has trended down, which I imagine is due to better training and sleep habits and what not of current players.



Its really not that big of an advantage as people make it out to be.

Yeah, that’s not the issue. The ridiculous thing in all this is the level of complaints leveled by a good number of Oilers fans and Edmonton media about how hard-done-by the Oilers are. They are not.


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[Coach]

Man some pretty damning stuff from Ference there. Talking about his choice to go there so sit in it is pretty far off the point. Just confirms a lot of what we thought was true: giving teenagers guaranteed millions with zero expectations of accountability = a no good disaster. No one ever told these kids they had to improve, they were superstars as soon as they pulled on the jersey.

The same thing is happening with McDavid. I doubt he's as undisciplined as the past crew were, but all anyone ever tells him is how great he is and what a forgone conclusion it would be that he would lead the team to greatness. Crosby has molded his game into being the best player of THE GAME possible. Not the best goal scorer, or the fastest, or with the best hands, but the one who plays the game the best. McDavid doesn't play the game. He has great skill above that of his peers to the point that the game to him is "get the puck, skate, try to score." What happens between those things is irrelevant.

[MrButtons]

#depth

http://mcdavidistheoilers.com/

[Resolute 14]

Nothing Ference says is actually news, except for the fact that he went on the record to say it. Also, he had alluded to issues in the past.

The problem, Andrew, is that you were brought in specifically to address this. You were supposed to be the veteran leader to help instill a new attitude. You failed as hard as they did.

[Robbob]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Nothing Ference says is actually news, except for the fact that he went on the record to say it. Also, he had alluded to issues in the past.

The problem, Andrew, is that you were brought in specifically to address this. You were supposed to be the veteran leader to help instill a new attitude. You failed as hard as they did.

I think that just goes to show how broken it is. IT has to have support from the top down or else the vets are on an island.

[manwiches]

Originally Posted by Robbob

I think that just goes to show how broken it is. IT has to have support from the top down or else the vets are on an island.

He also made a comment about how he wasn't the top skilled guy, was viewed as a 4-5 D man, and the measure of respect was how bad you could toe-drag a guy. Sounds like a very entitled Junior A team.

So I don't blame Ference for it. I'm sure he tried, but when nobody listens consistently, I'm sure he stopped trying. No different than telling your kids not to do something 100 times, then finally you just stop, because what's the point.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by manwiches

He also made a comment about how he wasn't the top skilled guy, was viewed as a 4-5 D man, and the measure of respect was how bad you could toe-drag a guy. Sounds like a very entitled Junior A team.

So I don't blame Ference for it. I'm sure he tried, but when nobody listens consistently, I'm sure he stopped trying. No different than telling your kids not to do something 100 times, then finally you just stop, because what's the point.

He liked Eakins, which is funny.

I am looking forward to Eakins taking over the Ducks.

[powderjunkie]

Originally Posted by Ped

Edmonton is a complete disaster from top to bottom and has been for years, but imo it sounds like after a few half-hearted attempts he said screw it and took his money.

As opposed to continuing to bang your head against a brick wall, and only creating more non-constructive conflict with the inmates who are running the asylum?

Originally Posted by Locke

And finally, I never said he shouldnt have taken care of himself. You cant just 'look out for #1 and damn the consequences' and then complain about the consequences.

Sure you can. He presumably wasn't hired to be the only one to fix the situation. I'm sure he tried to do what was reasonable within his role, which last time I checked was as a player, not a coach, manager, or owner. Without true effort from the guys in track-suits and cheap-suits, it would be impossible to fix things even if the bottom 6 forwards and all 6 D-men were 'Mark Messier Leadership Award' calibre guys.

Ference needed to put most of his energy into staying afloat as an NHL player...doesn't leave much time/energy for doing the job of coach and GM.


The only thing I fault Ference for is becoming a cheap-shot artist, but even that has a fairly reasonable explanation: he just wasn't good enough to contribute in the traditional hockey sense, but still wanted to bring some fire to the ice to wake up the assclowns around him. It's at least contrary to the point above about mailing it in.

Originally Posted by Hockeyguy15

First overall picks aren't really as big of an advantage as people make them out to be.

I dunno, the Penguins and Blackhawks seemed to make good use of their 1st and 2nd OA's...

[dustygoon]

So Ference rips the team, players, and management. Any damage control? Staples trying to deflect?

I find it interesting that they don't even respond.

[Eric Vail]

Originally Posted by manwiches

He also made a comment about how he wasn't the top skilled guy, was viewed as a 4-5 D man, and the measure of respect was how bad you could toe-drag a guy. Sounds like a very entitled Junior A team.

So I don't blame Ference for it. I'm sure he tried, but when nobody listens consistently, I'm sure he stopped trying. No different than telling your kids not to do something 100 times, then finally you just stop, because what's the point.

It also suggests the players didn't really mind losing. I have to imagine a hungry team that brings in some vets who know what it takes to win would listen to what they had to say.

I think of the Flames bringing in Tonelli in 1986 and how much the young Flames would have listened to what he had to say.

[Buff]

Originally Posted by JD

So Gord Miller might be saying that the broadcast booth in Edmonton is....

No Good?

No, he said it's the worst... by far. That, to me, sounds way worse than no good.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Nothing Ference says is actually news, except for the fact that he went on the record to say it. Also, he had alluded to issues in the past.

The problem, Andrew, is that you were brought in specifically to address this. You were supposed to be the veteran leader to help instill a new attitude. You failed as hard as they did.

Yeah but you can't blame him for the Sisyphusian task they gave him to complete.

No one can save the Edmonton Oilers.

Not Andrew Ference.

No one.

[MolsonInBothHands]

Originally Posted by Buff

No, he said it's the worst... by far. That, to me, sounds way worse than no good.

I am not great at navigating context in Twitter, so I could be wrong, but wasn't he commenting on something being the worst assignment, to which there was a response, "ever been to Edmonton?"

[D as in David]

Originally Posted by Weitz

In 2016-2017 teams on average earned -0.04 points when playing on 0 nights of rest then when they played on 1 night of rest. It has been higher in the years before that but it has trended down, which I imagine is due to better training and sleep habits and what not of current players.

Its really not that big of an advantage as people make it out to be.

Here's your answer. The main beneficiary of this metric is no good.

Originally Posted by getbak

Three of the last four seasons (including this year), the Oilers have led the league in the rested/tired differential.

Spoiler!

[getbak]

Originally Posted by MolsonInBothHands

I am not great at navigating context in Twitter, so I could be wrong, but wasn't he commenting on something being the worst assignment, to which there was a response, "ever been to Edmonton?"

He was asked what the top five arenas in the league are and he replied: Montreal, Chicago, Winnipeg, Philly, MSG.

Because there's no conceivable way he could have forgotten the glorious and wonderful Rogers Place, the Oiler fan had to clarify whether he has been to the new arena in Edmonton yet. He replied to that question by saying it's the worst broadcast position in the league.

[Johnny Makarov]

Originally Posted by flamesforcup

Im interested in going to the Flames game in edmonton in january and have to ask is it dangerous if i go with my Flames jersey? I have never been in an opposing arena before. Will i get drinks n stuff spilled on me or should i jus go without it?

Bring along 12 bags of Old Dutch chips and you will be the King of Edmonton! They will offer you up 10 women and 12 goats. Just take the goats.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Johnny Makarov

Bring along 12 bags of Old Dutch chips and you will be the King of Edmonton! They will offer you up 10 women and 12 goats. Just take the goats.

How would you tell the difference?

[Ped]

Originally Posted by powderjunkie

As opposed to continuing to bang your head against a brick wall, and only creating more non-constructive conflict with the inmates who are running the asylum?

Banging your head against the wall is one thing, and maybe he did try lots of things - but he was brought in to try those lots of things and it sounds like he just said screw it, they don't respect me anyway.