I'm confused....why would they say something like that to the clerk at 7-11? Seems risky.

You sound like a season ticket holder, not someone with a Stanley Cup on your mind.

crawl before you walk...

Without a #1 center Edmonton will be no further ahead this year or next, or the year after that.

It's one thing to re-evaluate your team part way through a season and determine you don't have what it takes to compete. The Oilers are a significantly different team this year. I'll wait to see how the season goes before I relegate them to a lottery pick before the season starts. One or two players having a career year instead of getting injured could make a huge difference.

Hope for the best, plan for the worst and see what happens. Fans that want to write them off already are afraid of another season of disappointment. Like my dad used to say: "You can't succeed in life with a fear of failure"

Clearly you're new here. From the time he signed here Jonathan Willis has written many articles where he outlined the reasons why the Oilers should expect fairly significant injuries from Khabibulin. He was right. There were also many articles that showed that there would have been no reason to expect a major upgrade in net over Roloson from Khabibulin based on numbers.

What is there to get over? I was having a conversation with someone else about the expectations of the training staff. Expectations that were clearly off the mark. I dont need to defend myself to someone who wants to believe that the Oilers are infallible.

yeah, sounds like he swings both ways

No love for Fernando or Claude?

Wow, a playoff team? DO you really think so?

I figure 11th or 12th and a shot the year after. Too many holes this season. Smid and Foster as the second pair doesn't do much for me.

Not done yet though, I guess we'll see what Souray brings and I presume Cogliano is done too. Those two might bring a little to shore up the roster.

yeah, i believe playoffs if they had solid options at the positions mentioned. why not? if you ride good goaltending and everyone plays a system correctly anything is possible in this league.

health is the biggest issue. Hemsky needs close to a full season, Horcoff needs to bounce back and the Defense needs to keep shots to the perimeter (along with improved special teams play). long list to make the playoffs but i guess we'll have to wait and see how this roster looks along with everyone elses to make a final read. hell, if the Avalanche made the playoffs last year...

I would prefer not a playoff team, but entertaining hockey and a 25th place finish.

There is lots of goals going both ways based on what we see here - I can't see a Vandermeer-Strudwick pairing being much help to JDD in keeping the puck out of the net and Hall is going to finish some of those sweet PP passes from either Hemsky or Gagner.

Traditionally the Oil have iced a team with fatal holes in the line-up and perhaps this year they continue that tradition. But it is nice to see this line-up is significantly better than the one iced last year so a little bit of hope is not undue.

LT, I think you mean that Fraser can help on the PK (unless I'm missing something).

I remain very doubtful of playoffs - we just don't have the defensive jam to compensate for the first-hand learning that the kids'll be doing.

To be an Oilers fan is to dare to dream, though, so... you never know.

Spezza would look good in that lineup. Is that horse dead after the Senators paid out his bonus? Are teams not allowed to send money back as part of a trade anymore?

The Oilerdon't have a true #1 goalie, #1 Center, or #1 Dman...

Start the parade!

Saying Hemsky's going to need a healthy is an understatement..

Since the lockout Hemsky's missed 96 games to Souray's 103....

Not much seperating the two but a bandaid perceptions..

Oilers =25th overall

LOWETIDE,

Playoffs???? Are you kidding me...

I just hope they win a game..

The huge question mark right now is goal. Depth in defense, and C/RW are issues, but running out the three-headed monster and having Khabi not play or go down to injury makes this a lottery team. If it were intentional, one might call it the L.A. model for a rebuild.

But JDD/DD for even a couple weeks will be enough to kill any playoff hopes, I think--even if we add a couple vets at C/RW and defense.

Am I wrong or is Hemsky's injury similar to Horcoffs's? If so, I think we can forget about Hemsky being healthy or anywhere near his best this season.

Anything is possible provided they stay healthy and gel together.

Look at what Colorado did?

Craig Anderson stood on his head..

Kyle Quincey had an outstatding breakout season

Stastny, Duchene, O'Reily are a legetimante 1,2,3 centers...

Comparing the Oilers to last years Avs is an insult to the Avs.

That's a lot of negativity before training camp even opens. It can't be much fun to be continuously pissed.

LT,

Don't forget that even if they acquire another d-men in the Souray deal they can always push Strudwick up front. It's not ideal, but it gives them options in case one of the kids isn't quite ready and needs some time in OKC.

Oiler fans need to temper their enthusiams maybe? depends how you look at it...

After playing about 20 games Whitney is now "the man"

Hemsky hasn't really been healthy in awhile...

And Khabiblulin ...well we all know what he's about so I ask you, what's not to hate?

The word "playoffs" should be forbidden in this forum for the next year. A proper rebuild will require 1 more year of adding prospects, getting OK city going, and ridding the team of old talent. It sure looks as if it will be worth the wait based the on what is currently in the system.

Goaltending is the biggest question mark for me. Khabibulin is a great goaltender when healthy, but his health is a serious concern. I find it strange that there have been no updates whatsoever on his recovery. Maybe it's at the request of his DUI lawyers.

It seems to me that he will be found guilty, it's just a matter of the sentence. If convicted is there any recourse for the Oilers to petition to have his contract voided? If his back is still a question mark that might be an option.

And what is the deal with Pisani? He still doesn't have a contract anywhere right?

Going into next season, what is the prognosis on the health of Khabibulin, Horcoff, Hemsky? Will they be back to 100% for TC? With Khabibulin, it is a back problem; back problems are very iffy as to full recovery, particularly at his age. Would the Oil look at picking up someone like Turco on a one-year contract and then go with DD?

At this point, the club looks far better than last year, but last year was a 30th place finish, not even close to 29th. Still missing a true 1st line C and couple of NHL D.

Lots of AHL players on the roster. Anything new on the coaching staff?

Another pending Horcoff debate.

Oh goodie.

If Bulin stays healthy I can see the Oilers making the post season, terrific goalie I say.

Full of hate, empty on brains.

Temper their enthusiasm? LT suggests we address our goaltending, find a 2 way center and add another right winger and we might make the playoffs. That's just realistic in today's NHL. Philadelphia and Colorado are a couple of recent examples. What's not realistic is to expect them to be in a lottery position next year. There have been some significant upgrades in personnel this offseason, most notably in the size of players being brought in, particularly defense. This team is already significantly better than last years lineup. There's no reason not to think with a few more changes they can challenge for a bottom playoff spot. I know one thing, you won't find a professional athlete in any sport that goes into a season with an attitude they can't compete.

So exactly where was I wrong in regards to the Avs last season?

Matt Duchene will be the Avs #1 center before the next Olympics and O'Reilly is a perfect #3 Center...

@ $500 000 Kyle Quincey played about 24 minutes a night...

Craig Anderson was out his mind last year.

The Oilers 2010 won't catch anyone off guard.

Making the playoffs this season would be counter productive.

Edmonton's goal this season should be to stay safe, have fun, find out what works where, and add to the puzzle via the lotto again.

Hope that Hemsky/Penner have great starts to increase their value in a trade around January.

You really don't understand professional sports and athletes do you? Is this madjam under a different name?

Not so much that post, more just you in general.

Anyways, their is some similarities between the two clubs, an infusion of young talent for one. Now a suprise performance or two and who knows.

LT,

Playoffs seem like a remote possibility to me. This team gave up 60 more goals than they scored last year. They need to even that out just to be considered in the playoff picture.

They may make up some of that deficit by scoring more goals but there will have to be a huge improvement in GA.

While some of the rookies may score a few more points than their predecesors, they are also going to get exposed on defensive coverages.

Special teams will be uneven.

I don't see the D being even league average. There is no shutdown pair.

Goaltending is the boat anchor. Even if Bulin escapes Alcatraz, he has a wonky back, dehydration problems, and father time is creeping up on him. DD has some potential but young goalies will break your heart.

Don't forget there will be some injuries. Hemsky, Bulin, and Smid will start slow.

I see this team as being similar to Tampa Bay last year. Some nice offensive vets, some high ceiling rookies, a second tier defence and wonky goaltending. 25th place.

Could the additions you suggest make enough of a difference to knock Calgary from 8th place in the west? They would have to be some very high end upgrades - and bringing those in would likely cost too much of the future.

Ryan Whitney's feet...

#1 centers are great, but their affect on the overal record of a team is way blown out of proportion.

The whole season doesn't rest on who has the best 1C.

ie a team with 2, top 5 centers (Pitsburg) finishing behind teams with:

Roy/Zajac/Lombardi

As their top centers.

Hate to say it but I kind of agree with Nate Hate. Not with everything but Oilers fans need to temper their expectations. I would compare this club with Tampa after they drafted Stamkos more than with Colorado. Both clubs have major question marks in goal. A defence that isn't very balanced as they both lack depth The Oilers have a solid top 4 but not a playoff top 4). Both clubs also have some good offensive talent, but Tampa would have the edge there.

This year is about evaluating who is truly part of the rebuild. Playoffs just aren't in the picture, not to say we all wouldn't be happy to see a berth. But let's face it why would the fans want the team to make the playoffs knowing full well they aren't a cup contender. As a fan I was really frustrated seeing the team make it from 97 to 2001 and 2003 and they would exit early and then get a middling pick. I'd rather them play hard, play the young guys to gain experience, and then draft in the top 5.

The New Jersey Devils and 92 Habs are probably the only teams in the last 30 years to win a Cup without a star center, it's just a fact.

The regular season is about highlights and health now.

I'm not saying they are going to make the PO, but it is a possibility. Every year theirs 3-4 teams that come out of no where to get in.

I'd slot the team in the 8-11 range.

That's because theirs probably 15-20 "star centers" in the league.

Debates over whether having a shutdown D, top centres or killer goaltending are foolish. The trick is to have a team that can score more goals than the opposition - and there are numerous ways to do that. Having a roster which is balanced (strengths of some players matching the weaknesses of others and vice versa) should be the goal of any GM/coaching staff.

Right now the strengths of the forwards may not compensate adequately for the weaknesses of the D and G's. Which as I said may mean entertaining hockey and a lower finish in the standings (20-25 would be good for me).

ST still has time to fix some holes though ...

Exactly.

It's a team game, and though some positions may be more impactful, their impact is probably blown out of proportion.

Yeah but those teams that come out of nowhere usually have 1 thing in common, they all have unbelievable performances from their starting goalies. Either a highly touted prospect ie.Steve Mason, Tukka Rask, or a journeyman/backup goalie who is ready to start ie. Kiprusoff, Craig Anderson

The Oilers don't have a goalie that steals games and doesn't have a defence that can shield and protect the goal like Detroit or Chicago and they can't outscore teams like the Capitals. I do think with a good coach like Renney and if they deal Souray for picks/young assets and if Khabi is 100% healthy in the fall the likelihood of a 78-85 point season is good. Which would make them a top ten pick team.

Playing with Penner and Hemsky is not heavy lifting.

Anson Carter was not heavy lifting when he played with the Sedin's.

And those 15-20 teams make the playoffs where as the Oilers do not...

Centers=puck possession and until the Oilers figure that out they'll be the ones chasing and pulling the out of their net.

Also the 92-93 Habs had Damphousse at no.1 and surrounded him with the likes of Muller, Leclair, Rick Dipietro (who had a really good playoff performance) Carbonneau, etc. The Habs were a really good team that year and had a lot of depth. At that time Damphousse was definitely a legitimate top line center as he had posted totals of 89 points the previous season with EDM and then 97 points in 92-93.

And to address the center issue there are definitely fewer than 15-20 star centers. The NHL has maybe 10 legitimate star centers in the league.

Balogny. I just showed you three teams that finished top 8 in the league that didn't have "legit" number 1 centers.

Crosby/Malkin/Backstrom/Sedin/Thorton/Toews/Datsyk/Zetterberg/Kopitar/Richards

Getzlaf/Stamkos/BRichards/Staal/Spezza/Carter

Theirs 17 right there withouht getting into the 2 way guys like Koviu/Kesler/Sharp

Personally I'd like to see Bulin walk.

The reason being that I think between Deslauriers and Dubnyk you eventually have one career starter and one career backup (As to which is which, who knows?).

Deslauriers might have already been there, or have already proven that he doesn't have it, had the Oilers not buried him in the system for so many years. The middle of a rebuild - with all its lowered expectations - is the perfect time to see what we really have (or could have) in these goaltending prospects.

I say this because, between them, I don't think these kids suck to the point where they'll drain All the energy out of the skaters (This space has spent ample time articulating the failings of the 09-10 TEAM).

Should either goalie establish himself, then you can tack a Fuhr/Moog figure onto this crop of up-and-comers.

Not that such comparisons are healthy.

CONTEMPLATION ? What is the first youth movement worth and for how long ? Gagner , Cogs and Brule . Will any of them be top six in two seasons or will they be another Nilsson . Will any of them be a very good bottom six player considering they are not overly defensive or physical ?

All 3 are coming into what should be their most productive years (4-5) . What sort of committment and contract length and salary should Oilers be looking at to retain them or entertain moving one or more of them ?

Horcoff is another they will have to entertain moving if next season things don't improve on his part .

Lots of work to be done by Tams yet in this off season ! Taking some iffy veterans and first youth group for trade bait, and could you imagine having the likes of a J.Stall, C. Phillips and/or a Spezza in Oilers lineup to start season with our merging youth ? Some veterans like Souray may kick themselves in butt for wanting out before Tams finishes putting more touches on next years squad .

I think it is maybe to early to tell just what Tams might be able to line up just yet in upgrades this time around ? Upgrades ? Haven't dared use that in a while now have we . I want upgrades not fillins thank you muchly .

Obviously every part of me wants to ask how the hell a guy who finished the year on the 3rd line and just put up the worst pro performance of his career is slated as the #1 Centre, but this argument is destined to go nowhere.

I can only assume that #1 on the depth chart has more to do with his "versatility" and defensive responsibility (-43 over the last 4 years) than what line he actually plays on.

Horcoff played a tonne (metric style) and against tough competition. So maybe that's why LT has him #1. He's #3 offensively and a detriment to the Powerplay, but he tries hard...so I guess that makes him the best?

Personally I think a lot of people are spotting him more respect than he earned last year because of past performances that are not likely to be repeated.