Edmonton Oilers

[SeaDawg]

The problem with that idea is that Mueller hasn't played center for years and years.

lol...I guess that would be a big problem, then.

I thought he still played Centre, but he hasn't played much the last couple of years so I wasn't sure where he was playing.

[SeaDawg]

It might be a little crazy, but I wouldn't mind seeing Hall at centre, and then finding a LW. I'd like to see something like this:

1A) ? - Nuge - Eberle
1B) Hartikainen - Hall - Yakupov
3) Smyth - Horcoff - Hemsky
4) Eager - Belanger - Jones
Hordichuk, Petrell

There are some issues with this though: Gagner is gone, who could they get as a top 6 LW, is Hartikainen NHL ready, and can Hall slide into centre?

Intriguing line-up though.

at least to start the year, I think it will be like this:

Hall - RNH - Eberle
Smyth - Horcoff - Hemsky
Eager - Gagner - Yakupov
Hordichuk - Belanger - Jones

Reserve: Lander, Paajarvi

If they are able to move Gagner and/or Hemsky, I hope it is for a #2 centre. Hall is not suited to play Centre in the NHL.

[dyzfunctioned]

Sweet! any chance he plays top PP with Schultz? I assume Whitney will get top PP and Petry will get 2nd duty. He was a bit of a toss in, so I didn't know tons about him, but am liking it more and more. Is he an offensive guy, or a solid 2 way type with above average offense?

Can't say anything for sure but Oil ran 4 F on PP succesfully last year so I unfortunately think Petry's PP time will be fairly limited.

2 way ATM but was starting to develop a decent offensive game. Time will tell.

[doulos]

As an aside here I have noticed that there are a lot of people who really hate the Oilers now. Whether it's because of the Schultz thing, or the three straight #1 picks or whatever, there is some genuine anger and ire being tossed at the Oilers. It'sa very strange thing since usually it's just pity and mockery that the team gets from people.

All this and the team hasn't even won games yet.

I predict that once the Oilers start winning games and Yakupov showboats his way around the NHL rinks for a while (he was criticized for his antics at freaking development camp!) the Oilers are going to be utterly despised.

I love it!

[SeaDawg]

As an aside here I have noticed that there are a lot of people who really hate the Oilers now. Whether it's because of the Schultz thing, or the three straight #1 picks or whatever, there is some genuine anger and ire being tossed at the Oilers. It'sa very strange thing since usually it's just pity and mockery that the team gets from people.

All this and the team hasn't even won games yet.

I predict that once the Oilers start winning games and Yakupov showboats his way around the NHL rinks for a while (he was criticized for his antics at freaking development camp!) the Oilers are going to be utterly despised.

I love it!

jealousy

they haven't done anything yet, but even Lowe and Tambellini can't mess this thing up (can they?)...the wins are going to come soon enough

[ericdaoust]

I know the Oil still lack some immediate quality dmen, but they have sick prospects in the pipeline. Unfortunately there is not much available in terms of free agents that can be real difference makers.

[dyzfunctioned]

As an aside here I have noticed that there are a lot of people who really hate the Oilers now. Whether it's because of the Schultz thing, or the three straight #1 picks or whatever, there is some genuine anger and ire being tossed at the Oilers. It'sa very strange thing since usually it's just pity and mockery that the team gets from people.

All this and the team hasn't even won games yet.

I predict that once the Oilers start winning games and Yakupov showboats his way around the NHL rinks for a while (he was criticized for his antics at freaking development camp!) the Oilers are going to be utterly despised.

I love it!

I can't believe all the flak he was getting for his celebrations.

[doulos]

I can't believe all the flak he was getting for his celebrations.

I am sure Don Cherry is already trying to find a butchered way to say his name.

"That Yapooeycough kid needs to smarten up!"

[dyzfunctioned]

Our division just got a whole lot tougher...

[SeaDawg]

Our division just got a whole lot tougher...

the best group of prospects in hockey, and now the top two free agents...ouch

[dyzfunctioned]

the best group of prospects in hockey, and now the top two free agents...ouch

But we have Yak and Schultz! haha

[doulos]

Meh big deal. So the Wild and Stars improved this year. We lose every game to those two teams anyways so nothing has changed!

[dyzfunctioned]

Meh big deal. So the Wild and Stars improved this year. We lose every game to those two teams anyways so nothing has changed!

Sad truth right here.

[BlackGold]

Meh big deal. So the Wild and Stars improved this year. We lose every game to those two teams anyways so nothing has changed!

One thing changed! Games vs the Wild may now be fun to watch!

[Fast Tony DeNiro]

I can't believe all the flak he was getting for his celebrations.

If he was Canadian he'd be celebrated for "going all out" and "giving 110%" at all times.