Edmonton Oilers

[SeaDawg]

I agree that RNH isn't a true #1 center, based on size and physicality.

He certainly has the skill, but I think he is too small to be a #1 center, especially if the Oilers can't put a big bruising winger on his line to protect him a bit.

Regardless of RNH''s limitations, he is our #1 center for better or worse.

The biggest issue I have with the line-up is that I don't want them rushing Draisaitl into the 2C role. But now I'm just repeating myself (and what many others have been saying since the draft and free agency periods).

[SeaDawg]

nugent.jpgsegs abs.jpg

Tyler Seguin - 6'1, 195 lbs.

Ryan Nugent Hopkins - 6'1, 192 lbs.

Clearly Seguin isn't a #1 center either

RNH is definitely not 192 lbs. Don't know where you found those numbers.

Have you seen Seguin with his shirt off? The dude is seriously ripped, and RNH has about as much muscle as my grandmother.

These guys do not weigh the same amount.

[rataylor22]

RNH is definitely not 192 lbs. Don't know where you found those numbers.

Have you seen Seguin with his shirt off? The dude is seriously ripped, and RNH has about as much muscle as my grandmother.

Followed camp notes much? That's what he weighed in at at camp this year.

RNH.JPG

Ryan Rishaug @TSNRyanRishaug · Sep 19
Nugent-Hopkins says he wants more defensive zone starts this year, worked on face offs quite a bit this summer. 10 pounds heavier.

Ryan Rishaug @TSNRyanRishaug · Sep 19
Enters camp around 192 pounds this year.

[SeaDawg]

I call BS. No way RNH weighs that much. I don't care what they are saying in camp. If RNH weighs close to 200 lbs, then Seguin is 220 lbs.

[rataylor22]

I call BS. No way RNH weighs that much. I don't care what they are saying in camp. If RNH weighs close to 200 lbs, then Seguin is 220 lbs.

Uh. K.

[rataylor22]

The size narrative is a flimsy, old argument that people love to cling to for no apparent reason.

It's a shame the human race never developed some kind of system for strength training and muscle building or anything, and also a shame that whatever size a kid is at age 18 that is the size he's stuck at for life. No further body development nope definitely not.

[SeaDawg]

not saying that RNH can't develop, but to say that he compares physically to Seguin is nonsense

even before this talk of him gaining 10 lbs, I've always thought he was generously listed at ~180 lbs in the past

Maybe he is in that area now, but it isn't beyond belief that the Oilers and Nuge himself like to exaggerate his weight to placate the fans and media. This is very common in sports.

[doulos]

not saying that RNH can't develop, but to say that he compares physically to Seguin is nonsense

even before this talk of him gaining 10 lbs, I've always thought he was generously listed at ~180 lbs in the past

Maybe he is in that area now, but it isn't beyond belief that the Oilers and Nuge himself like to exaggerate his weigh to placate the fans and media. This is very common in sports.

Take a look at some of the more recent pictures of Nugent-Hopkins. He was reported at 190+ at the start of camp and that's the basic numbers that the league uses as far as I know. It is the same place that correctly placed Tkachev's weight at 141, which is WAY less than the 160ish his jr team had him weighing in at. He IS 190 lbs, whether you want to believe it or not. He IS approaching the same size as Tyler Seguin, whether you want to believe it or not.

The idea that he is some itty bitty kid is simply put, no longer true. He's no giant, but he's put in the work needed to put on weight and it is absolutely noticeable in the games he has played in this preseason already.

[SeaDawg]

Fair enough...I can admit when I am wrong. Assuming he is in fact 190 lbs and playing that way, then I'm willing to give RNH the benefit of the doubt and assume he can handle the physicality to be a true #1 center. I haven't watched any pre-season games.

Assuming this to be true, that is definitely good news for the Oilers. Let's just hope that with size no longer being an issue, RNH can live up to the expectations, play a full season, and put up career numbers.

[doulos]

Fair enough...I can admit when I am wrong. Assuming he is in fact 190 lbs and playing that way, then I'm willing to give RNH the benefit of the doubt and assume he can handle the physicality to be a true #1 center. I haven't watched any pre-season games.

Assuming this to be true, that is definitely good news for the Oilers. Let's just hope that with size no longer being an issue, RNH can live up to the expectations, play a full season, and put up career numbers.

I can get on board with that. I suspect a huge year from him this season, but who knows. The Oilers are Champs when it comes to underperforming these days.

[joeb323]

Tkachev contract deemed ineligible...everything is wrong with the Oilers again.

[doulos]

Preseason game against Arizona should make me feel better. Always nice to just watch hockey and not have to mock the Oiler management.

[joeb323]

Preseason game against Arizona should make me feel better. Always nice to just watch hockey and not have to mock the Oiler management.

Getting lulled into a false sense of hope again are we? I hate that I have so much hope at this time of year, only to be disappointed time and time again.

But honestly, I do feel like they could finally start turning the page this year. There are marked improvements throughout the entire line up, except maybe centre. However Draisaitl is looking very promising. I don't expect much this year from him which should be the case, but moving forward he's going to be a critical piece for the Oilers.

[deantime419]

How's Arcobello looking?
How are the lines shaping up?

[rataylor22]

How's Arcobello looking?
How are the lines shaping up?

Arco is on the outside looking in

Hall-RNH-Yak
Perron-Draisatl-Eberle
Pouliot-Gordon-Purcell
Joensuu-Yakimov-Hendricks

is my guess for opening night.