On the fourth pairing (yes 4th) on a team in the swedish league, this guy has lit it up with 4points in two years. Sounds like the kind of puck moving defensman that could turn this club around. Looks like lottery picks for another few years.

why does everyone want to rush our d here. We have a good problem with a good solution with the exception of klefboms playing time. Leave the kids in junior and the older kids in the ahl. Maximize and slow there development.

This is the first time in a long time when there is no need to rush. No one in the AHL is ready for NHL (tuebert is close and will eventually replace sutton).

SO let them play where we can have them all and than make trades when there value is higher, you know who is better and who is the right fit.

Murray is the only player that may need to be rushed as he may not be challenged in juniors. Leave him there for another year.

Also for all you grigorenko fans, if we draft him and trade gagner, we are setting our rebuild back another two years. Even if he out scores Gagner, he will in no way shape or formplay to the defensive level gagner has grown to this year or be able to match ice time. Scoring is not the problem, lack of skill is not the problem, defense is the problem. And unless suter likes edmonton, we do not have tradable assests that is going to upgrade this teams defense very much.

Ya your right, let's give up Malkin 2.0 because Gagner is better defensively. Good call.......

I believe you that, in Edmonton's case, winning at the AHL level is very important. . If they don't win, they're not going to get the attendance and if nobody is paying to go watch, it becomes more likely they find an alternate means of bringing along the kids . . like splitting a farm team ???

I would love to get Dougie as I believe that he will be a very good NHL defenseman. He looked unreal in the WJ's better than basically any dman that I have ever seen play in the juniors, just exceptional.

Draft BPA. If that's Grigorenko so be it. If he's good enough to make the team next year, so be it. He doesn't have to start at center and it doesn't mean Gagner has to go, ever.

We have assets to trade for a top 4D (from a team with excess) including this year's 2nd rounder and next year's first (we are making the playoff next year - damn-it).

Add Yakupov and we might. I think Columbus goes with Grigorenko. They have Johansen and will have more when they ship out Nash.Since the trade deadline Columbus has awoken. I would not not say were out of the woods as far as another 30th place finish. Renny has his eyes on the prize that is Yakupov. He keeps sending out Bulin and Barker and Peckham. 16 games to go I bet the Oilers finish with 68 points and Columbus gets 69.

Exactly, you don't pass on the BPA because you already have a guy whose spent 5 years developing. You always draft BPA and trade your redundant assets for your needs.

Never draft by need, because what you need today may not be what you need in a year or tomorrow. Always, always draft BPA.

Also, we're not exactly overloaded with 6'3 centres at the moment either.

There are no exceptionally talented UFA Dman at the right price this year. Suter's above average but not exceptional. Trading for the stud...not so much. Dithers, trade half the farm for an exceptional goalie. You know who they are. All BS aside the current group less a few passengers is capable of making the playoffs with a goaltender who can win two fists full of games despite the clowns that play in front of him. I really didn't think the nation would have to explain this to you however you have been one subborn hombre. Throw us a bone fer fox ache.

We could always lose the lottery.

And if we catch Columbus we would have to go 0-16.

They're on a hot stretch, if they don't finish the season going 0-6 then I'm surprised.

Oh and Buzz Suter isn't getting a 7 year 53 million dollar contract from any team in the league because he's "above average". You also don't become an All-Star as a defence men by scoring 45 points a year unless your exceptional at defence.

I'd thought about asking for more, but I didn't want to sound like a homer. You know, the "Kaberle is worth a 1st round pick and a blue chip prospect" kind of fan. ;-)

Don't forget we've had arguably our "MVP" Nik Khabibulin for almost the whole year too.

Geez, I should read your offerings more carefully and consistently. Last time I looked Suter was a RFA. Apparently you have the inside track, finger on the pulse. Thanks.

@ Quicksilver

Thank you too! you always find a way to sum up the painful truth in a deadpan way. I like that style. Keep it comin.

I keep saying our defence is not that bad.

It's just that we are evaluating.our players .Most of our losses have swung on one or two bad goals or bad plays ,bad changes.etc.I can recall at least five games were Ted has given up one or two goals and Barker at least as many.If you take these two out of the mix we maybe have six or seven more wins.

I scratch my head as to why they play these guys over and over but it's all part of the plan.

Tank this year and draft top three again just in time for new arena.

Ya know, I really wish we could play in a really old arena with bad facilities for the next 30ish years. That would just great YOU FREEKS.

Would Matt Carle be a D the oil should target? 27 years old UFA. 35 to 40 point guy. Flyers against the cap. Will be a commodity but cheaper than Suter.

BTW. The Flinstones was clearly Ann Margrock's best work. TV gold.

Similar but not same opening chords to Pinball Wizard by the Who.

Also, agreed on the D.

He cleared waivers the last time he was up (and in one game played himself out of a chance of a new contract) anyone could have claimed him and had him for nothing, no takers. What makes you think anybody would give up anything let alone a third rounder? The fact that he is playing top 2 minutes in OKC shows how sad the oilers depth on defence is.

At the rate the Oilers are playing 30th is not out of the question. Who in the solar system does not think Suter is a 1-2? Above average. I'll take that vs cam Barkers below average. And who on the Nation thought N. Shultz would be this good offensively? And please could someone tell R.Whitney that the season has started.

It seems pretty obvious that either Tom was told to blow the season or he didn't catch that puck squarely enough. I will never know why Barker and Teddy are being played. Mistakes and stupid penalties everywhere. We need d and a goalie. The kids were by far the most dangerous line on the ice last night. I didn't even see Hall on his a$$ as often as usual.

I would consider MPS a prospect at this time, wouldn't you?

Well played.

@ michael

I don't know... I'm not on the Suter koolaid. Good but not cornerstone.

When the 630 ched golden wheel would spin I would yell staaauup! when shocking blue came on.Defense will Improve along with the rest of the team once the forwards become more reliable.I dont think the oilers will have to go after a big ticket free agent.

Let Alex Plante and Chorney walk if they can't tradxe them for any pick at all at the draft.