Would look good yes?

Eberle-Yakupov line

RNH-Hall line

Da!

Well, you've identified the window but I think you may not realize that Suter wants to win NOW, other wise he'll stay with and organization that is always in the hunt.

Unless you think the Oilers will be cup contenders in the next 2 years, I doubt Suter gives your offer much credence.

All I can think of when I see that smug sonofa... smiling into the camera is him saying "Suuuucker" to himself under his breath.

Top NHL players are going to be pretty keen to play for the Oil. Last year they recruited Belanger because he saw what was coming, and this summer we'll get someone of even higher calibre.

Playing with the kids will be all kinds of enticing to UFA's. If that doesn't suffice, we can always come to the table with the same thing that gets you laid: CASH!

So with first pick grab a goalie - right! Then,according to you we have no one on defense worth keeping - right! So, what would you do next trade for Brule? Then what, trade Hall for some other team's 3rd and 4th rounder. That should do it - FOOL!

Top NHL players like Belanger, Eager, Hordichuk, Sutton and Potter?

You realize none of them would even be on the roster of a good team, right?

Given the UFA pool this summer, who do you think the Oilers will attract?

You're working from the assumption that the Oilers are "going to make some noise in the standings" next season.

I'd be curious why you think that.

take Yakupov, oil don't need defence. Klefbom could be the next Pronger, Marancin could be the next Chara and Musil could be the next Musil?? Best player available always wins.

DSF you are such a wet blanket. Eliminate the Horcoff / Belanger triangle (i don't pretend to know how) and we'd probably be in the top 20 in goals for ;) Belanger couldn't be worse next year (could he?), and Horcoff has passable numbers for a third liner, so I'm praying the only direction is up for the bottom 6 offense. Start spreading out the harder minutes a bit and relax the torture role for the Smyth/Horc/Jones line and perhaps we'll see better results next year out of bottom 6 offense.

I'm not saying we don't need to improve 5v5... and without a doubt I agree it's a wee hasty to say the rebuild is complete.

I do not agree the defense is pure junk, Petry has impressed, Smid is stabilizing, Schultz is a serviceable #5. Sutton/Peckham (assuming a qual. offer to Peckham) are numbers 6/7. It comes down to what Dithers can achieve this off season to address #1/#2 - Whitney is a massive question mark at this point, but let's say he's a number 4 if he remains as he currently is. We agree, missing a stud dman, probably 2. But the defense is total trash - I can't agree...

Dubnyk doesn't need to be a world beater with a good defense in front of him. I think if we can get a legitimate #1 D, we're looking significantly better. Playoffs? I can dream.

My concern with the whole Nail thing is if we do end up running with him, it's inevitable that we'll have to move one of the 3 #1's (or the hidden top five masquerading as a number 22 overall) to keep cap space open to actual sign guys on the blue line, especially the stud D we know we'll need. Can you have 25 mil a season wrapped up in 4 forwards?

Dithers has his work cut out for him.

edit: forgot Potter (lol). I'm guessing given he's been signed/extended, Peckham gets qualifying offer and either of them are waiver bait come end of TC

Last year they recruited Belanger because they gave him 3 years to everyone else's 2.

As much I hope Suter signs here in the summer, I can very much see him signing with the Wings to become their new Lidstrom, assuming he retires. It would be a slap in the face to Nashville but lack a Datsyuk.

In any event, draft BPA now and trade or sign to fill voids later.

Maybe this will be another Pronger-Peca type summer.

I agree the Oilers need D men, possibly a tender and a couple better support players. I just don't think the Kings are a good model. In year 4 they limped into the playoffs by a couple of points. They are a mediocre team. Lassie could not find their scoring touch if it was wrapped in bacon.

So yes I would say the Oiler top 6 are much better than LA's. The LA forwards pooped the bed playing with your thoroughbreds on D. The Oil offence was much better playing with mostly plow horses.

There are much better models of how to build winners than the Kings who are unimpressive. I have to think cap space and the young brilliant forwards make E-town a much more attractive destination than in the past. A very good to excellent D man will arrive via FA and the kids are going to continue to improve.

You have valid points but don't be such a Debbie Downer. What happened today is a GOOD THING!

PS. I would be very happy to see LA kick the living schmidt out of Vancouver.

Unfortunately that's likely the exact way Mr. Dithers thinks.

Hopkins is Gretzky, Petry is Coffey and Dubnyk is Fuhr.

Who needs critical thinking?

Gotta think long term.

Eberle, Nuge, Hall, Yakupov would make the best forward line 1-2 punch in the league in 2 years. This would make the Oilers one of the most exciting teams in the league. This would make it so we consistently get quality free agents at somewhat reasonable prices.

There hasn't been a conversation out there all year that Yakupov isn't the best player available. You can't pass that up.

Trade Gagner + quality d prospect (Klebom or Musil) + 2nd pick for a decent defender.

Pretty much what I think although expecting more from the Horcoff/Belanger/Jones group is likely dreaming.

I like Petry (#3) and Smid (#4) but as long as they are punching above their weight class, chaos is inevitable.

Whitney looks done to my eye so you need two top pairing D.

One won't do.

LA scored 3.35 GPG after Carter arrived.

The Oilers scored 2.52 GPG.

The Kings are built to win for a long time and still have some very impressive prospects in the minors.

Given their superiority on defense and in goal, the Oilers are years away from challenging them.

Parise is a UFA this summer and I would take him over Nash (if he was a UFA) any day of the week. He is a leader, has heart and is more productive then Nash. But he's exactly what we don't need, a small forward. However, small or not, I would love if he signed.

Parise - Nuge - Ebs Hall - Gags - Yakupov MPS - _____ - Hemmer

Guess, you've never heard of the Crosby, Malkin 1-2 punch.

Remember they're being backed up by Letang and Fleury...not Whitney and Khabibulin.

@ Oilcan,

says me, Hemsky keeps getting pushed aside by the new players we already have. He does not have a no trade clause. If you acquire another top 6 RW, then YOU WOULD BE STUPID not to trade Hemsky for another top six forward or top 2-4 defenseman. Hemsky has top end skill, but a questionable work level.

What would the Oil have to give up to get Gudbranson?

Hemsky,Musil and the first in 2013?

This certainly changes the perspective of our off-season. I say move Hall to the middle and trade Gagner. Yakupov is listed as a RW but I could see him on the left side.

Yakupov - Hall - Hemsky Paajarvi - RNH - Eberle

Or something like that. Now that is an embarassment of riches.

Agreed, one defenseman will not do. They need two. But I disagree that we need a 1D and a 2D right now in order to contend for a playoff spot. The Oilers are not good, but they are not that bad. There are a lot of good things happening for this team, and if they can pick up a "top 4" d-man and a "top 2" d-man this off-season, then I think they are playoff bound.

side note... if we draft 3 yrs in a row #1, does that make a crazy offer sheet for Suter a real possibility? The timings right if we legitimately expect to no longer need to be flush with draft picks. We may end up going as high as 2 1sts, 2nd, 3rd in compensation for the offer sheet.

But that'd be half the top pairing.

So Jeff Carter single handedly saved a franchise but a #1 overall can't? Please don't apply logic in one case and offhandedly dismiss it in the other.

And by all means let's use a portion of the season stats to back the argument. Including Carter's 16 games with the Kings - hardly representative- this squad was THE SECOND LOWEST SCORING TEAM IN THE LEAGUE. There is no way to hide the fact that their offence was putrid. Using your logic based on Gagner's two week stint, he should be the leagues most feared offensive player.

We agree the Oil need help. But please don't hold up Dean Lombardi as the second coming of Sam Pollock.

If Tallon wants the first.

Hemsky just came off a 36 point -13 season.

Tallon has Huberdeau, Howden and Bjugstad on the way.

Is Musil a better prospect than Petrovic or Robak?

Don't think so.

Gudbranson is 6'5" 220 and growing.

I would think he's pretty much untouchable.

You don't know much about hockey, do you?

We Win! - the "Yak" is ours!

Let's make the playoffs like Right Now Baby!

How? UFA offer to stud D - like a Suter this year or Weber next year-

Ok - maybe I'm crazy...But here's how I see it: if we draft the Yak (I see PAVEL BURE genes here) - the stud UFA D man we need and then the "role" players take notice and will be available...for a price.

I think we're one stud D away right now from playoffs...I don't think you can overstate the effect one real "D General" can have on the backend (see Pronger effect) ...they sign this guy and you will suddenly have the "sandpaper" role players we need perk up and take notice...

Goaltending is weak? Sheesh! - Pronger made Roloson look like Patrick Roy in 2006. I also saw a lot of good signs from Dub down the stretch. I think he's going to be good enough if we can shore up the D in front of him.

Yes, Edmonton sucks in the winter - who cares? Global warming is starting to kick in and these guys spend 50% of their games on the road. Do you think it sucks less if you've got the horses putting up tons of goals & wins? I do! Any top stud D is going to look at this group of forwards and at least have to consider the oilers UFA offer now. Winning will make the cold tolerable.

I bet few of these haters know that the oilers are in the top 5 revenue teams in the league. Only cap space is a road block. So we overpay a Suter or Weber a million per year? It means nothing to the OIl - I say go for it - front load an offer at 10,10,8,8,7,7 mill per year for 6 years. That way we're ok when the kids come for their raises in a couple years. Any overpayment will be recouped by a trip to the playoffs anyway.

In 2 years, you have Hesmky and Horc contracts up and thats 12 million right there...I really don't see a problem having Ebs, Nuge, Hall, and maybe Nail all running at 5-6 million going forward from there and still have 24 million to use for the rest of the team. (assuming cap is around 50 million). Thats plenty to go around isn't it?

I think all the nonsense about losing these guys after their ELC's come up is silly - to get one of them, its going to cost another team 4 first rounders because they'll have to offer 5 million + to get one of them.

Am I crazy? Is the kool-aid too strong?

No.

They're really bad.

29th.

To make the playoffs they have to leapfrog 6 teams.

That's not easy.

Isn't Suter a UFA this summer?

Weber would be an RFA this year and draft pick compensation would be forthcoming...

Thanks for responding with facts and a logical argument. I will assume your "I am taking my ball and going home" response indicates that you concede that using the LA Kings as a model franchise was asinine.

While you are feverishly looking up who Sam Pollock is please allow me to congratulate you on your ability to not allow facts to stand in the way of your opinions.

Goodnight and be well.

I wrote earlier that it is excellent to take Yakupov and then try a deal for Justin Shultz. I would tell the Leafs to take Gagner and Hemsky, and say a defensive prospect(Klefbom) and a top second rounder in 2013 for Gardiner and a pick back if Burke/Leafs would budge. Or is that a tad too little or too much? I also hope to see the Oil jump on board to grab that Justin Shultz kid from Anaheim as a defenceman. He is a definite possibility as a #1/#2 type defenceman as well. Four lines look great Hall at centre between Yakupov and say Hartikainen, and then its Eberle/RNH and Paarjarvi. Third line is good/ok with Horcoff, Jones and Smyth, then fourth with Lander, Hordichuk and Petrell. Defence looks great if trades work out as proposed with Smid/Petry, Shultz/Shultz, Gardiner and one other good skating tough hard banger fighter type defenceman. Make Sutton the six/seventh guy

~That's crazy talk. Oiler fans don't like depth.~

No, it's not easy. Not saying it will necessarily happen. Just that I disagree that they need BOTH a 1D and 2D right now. Sure I'd like that to happen, but I do not think it is necessary in order to push for playoffs.

Changes are necessary, but I think you are overestimating what the team needs to be in the playoff mix. Because really, do you think the Oilers are THAT much worse than Calgary that adding both a 1/2 D and a 3/4 D doesn't even put them in the same ballpark?

I sometimes wonder at the FOCUS of these young men.

The shock of instant riches, The Big League, The " I MADE IT" syndrome that's I'm perceiving.

There is NO QUESTION the talent is there. GUYS!!! Take a breath, It's just your first kick. Ok I know you guys can make things look "pretty" But GOALS ARE GOALS!!! pretty, bad, ugly, they all count!!!

We know your all very talented. PUT IT TOGETHER!

Visit my store and see what you think.

Best Wishes for the "next" season.

Good showing at the beginning, but keep it consistent. Stay Healthy, grab my products. for everyone on your friends lists.

Peter

Ahh, right... doh. Fail.

Well maybe Suter will actually think about it this year once Nashville fails again in playoffs, and we won't have to spend draft picks, but I suppose take my hypothetical and apply to Weber.

It's been a long time since I've been able to post but is spamming allowed now on ON?

Anyways, who cares! Nail baby!

Your post discussing Justin Shultz then talking about him again like he hadn't been brought up before was just confusing haha. "I my name is Oilcan I comment on hear sometime and my name is Oilcan". But in all seriousness that is a very steep price for Gardiner and it would set the Oilers back. In all seriousness Klefbom and the 2nd is probably all the Oilers would want to trade and maybe not even that depending on how they value Klefbom.

And your lineup probably makes the Oilers worse then they were last year, draft Yakupov and KEEP Gagner and Hemsky.

Hemsky-RNH-Eberle, Hall-Gagner-Yakupov, Smyth-Belanger-Jones, Paajarvi-Horcoff-Hartikainen 13th-Petrell looks a lot better to me and that is assuming we sign no one which I think we will which could push some guys out.

I'm going to go with the Hemsky-traders right now. Trade Hemsky and a high pick and get a D-man. Then you have:

Hall-Gagner-Eberle

Paajarvi-RNH-Yakupov

Hartikainen-Horcoff-Jones

Smyth-Belanger-Petrell

Smid-Petry

New Guy-Schultz

Whitney-Sutton

Dubnyk

Now that is definitely at least a defenseman short of playoffs by my eye, but it's got the beginnings of a good team. I like the forward group a lot.

my biggest fear is that ST ends up outsmarting himself. take the BPA and his name is Nail

Doesn't anyone else see Yakupov as a good insurance policy for Hall? Hall can be reckless all he wants this way and we could still have Yakupov.

In fact he's a great insurance policy incase any of the big three go down due to injury. As far as im concerned there are no good arguements not to take this kid.

If Tambellini is half decent at his job (Insert joke here) then he should be responsible to aquire defenseman. The solution to our problems can't and shouldn't always have to be solved through the draft.

Seriously draft Yakupov and have Tambellini do his job, Burke and others have proven that aquiring quality defenseman isnt impossible. It's his job, let's hope and pray that he can get something done this offseason.

P.S. Yakupov = SQUEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!

Great, we get Yak. Cue five years of us whining about how small our top-6 is now. I think Duby can handle goal, and Smid-Petry have great numbers and are young. A top-4 D doesn't grow on trees. It's not going to be Suter or Weber or Gudbranson or Doughty, they don't give those players away. There isn't a stud UFA who isn't going to be signed by his team. Our pro scouting department is utter sheee-it. I have zero faith that we'll succeed in adding the needed pieces on the blue to do any good. We're going to have to be the high-flying, high scoring Oilers to win, and with Yak and Nuge still needing shelter next year, that means Horcs/Smitty/Jonesy will be stuck with horrible zonestart heavy lifting and our secondary scoring will be crap, again. And Tambo won't make moves to help that, again.

Be prepared to see a team roster almost identical to this years, minus Barker and plus Fedun, and a 25th place finish. It hurts me to say, but in 3 years of sucktitude, Tambo has shown absolutely no sign that he'll make the kind of moves needed to even out this team, and even if he did, we can expect they'll be bad signings of other teams problem children.

Today was a good day.

Remember all that talk that the oilers need a large winger with size and grit to play in the top six? Yeah it's gone, for now .... To be continued January 2013

Probably the best post I've read here all day.

Thank you.

Why do people bother reading DSF's posts?

Let alone respond to them.

Don't feed the trolls!

PS: this is indeed a good day.

Nail Yakupov doesn't exactly play like a "small skilled forward". He plays an aggressive style. I'm pretty sure no one calls Ryan Callahan small and he's about the same size as Yakupov. The fact is "small" is more a description on style of play than actual physical size. Some physically big players play small (Ponikarovsky, Antropov, Zubrus, etc.) and smaller guys play big (Callahan, Rinaldo, Talbot, Clutterbuck, Ott, Dorsett, Landeskog).

Do you think any other team would give up value for a 10 goal forward that will cost them 5 million a year? Hemsky in untradeable unless it is one bad contract for another.

Tuesday was better.

Can Dithers move along quickly enough? Stuttering and Hmmmming is what I see. If you follow the post seasons comments from players, even they are tired of all this rebuilding, and loosing. And yet, if you grab Nail... not sure that is enough at this time. Too many bad pieces on this team to make them contenders.... Would a new coach make a difference, to make this a gritty team, hard on the puck with high speed used effectively. Just by adding Nail, I see more of the same.

They were dreadful 5V5 (22nd) and every team below them missed the playoffs except Florida.

im surprised you even typed that with your Dale Tallon cuddle pillow sitting on your lap...

Ok, here's what I want to happen. You guys let me know if it's feasible.

- Trade Hemsky, Gagner and Whitney to Nashville for Weber pre trade deadline

- Draft Nail

- Use Weber to lure Suter and Schultz

- Ship Khabby to KHL

-Offer sheet Schneider

Boom 2013-2025 Stanley cup Dynasty

Top 6 PRV-RNH-Ebs Harti-Hall-Nail

D Weber-Suter Petry-Smid Shultz-Schultz Sutton

G Schneider Dubby