Aceboogie
Registered User
- Aug 25, 2012
- 32,649
- 3,896
Then what's the option?
Campbell/Franson/Stone/ Euro free agent
Then what's the option?
Russell is a fine stopgap. I don't see many available options especially since the Oilers have very little to offer other teams.
I'd like to think PC has a deal in his pocket but I think it's going to be a quiet free agency.
Then what's the option?
I wonder IF, and this might be a stretch, the Oilers could approach Sekera about waiving his NMC just for the expansion draft to open up a "bonus" protection spot. I could be wrong, but I don't think Vegas would even entertain taking a guy who's out the first 3 months of the year, coming off a major injury, and with a pile of term left on there contract. They know the first half of the season will go a long way to building the long term interest of hockey in that market, if one of their best picks is out for awhile it could hurt the one ice results.
He said the hit didn't look like much, he was skeptical of the injury being serious enough to put Sekera out for the series, and then pointed to his heart and said that's what the issue might be.
Yes, you have to re-sign Kris Russell. But it can't end at that, there needs to be another player.
It took a favorable schedule, a ton of luck and Cam Talbot playing like a mad man to get to where they got. That same team with a healthy Sekera could run that year back exactly and miss the playoffs. They needed to upgrade before the injury to guarantee their window, now they need one to survive.
If Peter Chairelli's only option is to sign Russell then we have bigger problems on our hand. 1 year deal somewher, figure it out, Pete.
I wonder IF, and this might be a stretch, the Oilers could approach Sekera about waiving his NMC just for the expansion draft to open up a "bonus" protection spot. I could be wrong, but I don't think Vegas would even entertain taking a guy who's out the first 3 months of the year, coming off a major injury, and with a pile of term left on there contract. They know the first half of the season will go a long way to building the long term interest of hockey in that market, if one of their best picks is out for awhile it could hurt the one ice results.
This sounds like Flames fan talk.
It's reality.
All of their top players were uncommonly healthy. They started the year with a ton of winnable games at home ice, in a new building. Cam Talbot carried the team for at least two months.
The entire 103 point campaign is a mirage. The same group could land at 90 in any given year. The league is tempermental and almost nobody is guaranteed in year over year. Even the Penguins were borderline a couple years ago.
If you're walking into the season with a group that's injury from losing it's season, and that would be the case with only Russell, you're not a contender of any sort.
It's reality.
All of their top players were uncommonly healthy. They started the year with a ton of winnable games at home ice, in a new building. Cam Talbot carried the team for at least two dozen games.
The entire 103 point campaign is a mirage. The same group could land at 90 in any given year. The league is temperamental and almost nobody is guaranteed in year over year. Even the Penguins were borderline a couple years ago.
If you're walking into the season with a group that's injury from losing it's season, and that would be the case with only Russell, you're not a contender of any sort.
Agreed. Chiarelli makes a ton of money, if his options are limited to Russell he should be sent packing. Plenty of free agents/ trade targets. Look under every rock. Banking solely on Russell is like dating your neighbour because your too lazy to go out and meet new people
It's reality.
All of their top players were uncommonly healthy. They started the year with a ton of winnable games at home ice, in a new building. Cam Talbot carried the team for at least two dozen games.
The entire 103 point campaign is a mirage. The same group could land at 90 in any given year. The league is temperamental and almost nobody is guaranteed in year over year. Even the Penguins were borderline a couple years ago.
If you're walking into the season with a group that's one injury to a secondary player from losing it's season, and that would be the case with only Russell, you're not a contender of any sort.
We had the best record against the Western conference. That's not a coincidence.
And let's not forget we LOST a lot of very winnable games. Sabres, Canes, Leafs, Coyotes...
Every team loses a bunch of winnable games, we also won games that we had no business winning based off luck and goaltending. That balances out. Doesn't change all the rest - the Oilers were ****ing lucky to get to where they got.
I'm not saying the Oilers are trash, I'm saying they more closely resemble the middle 15 than the top-5. They were almost definitely not going to have the same quality season with the same group. They needed to upgrade. And now this injury puts them in a position where they need to add to move laterally.
Russell wants term. You can't sign him just because Sekera's hurt.
Best regular season in 30 years. Let's downplay it.
Every team loses a bunch of winnable games, we also won games that we had no business winning based off luck and goaltending. That balances out. Doesn't change all the rest - the Oilers were ****ing lucky to get to where they got.
I'm not saying the Oilers are trash, I'm saying they more closely resemble the middle 15 than the top-5. They were almost definitely not going to have the same quality season with the same group. They needed to upgrade. And now this injury puts them in a position where they need to add to move laterally.
Who cares?Let's be real about it so the next one has a chance to be better.
The Oilers had three real defenseman and a top-3 or top-5 goaltender in the league, with almost perfect health and the best possible schedule. Adam Larsson breaks his hand and how do the Oilers perform with a Klefbom-Russell-Nurse-Benning top 4?
How do they do if Cam Talbot isn't quite as excellent or consistent?
Let's be real about it so the next one has a chance to be better.
The Oilers had three real defenseman and a top-3 or top-5 goaltender in the league, with almost perfect health and the best possible schedule. Adam Larsson breaks his hand and how do the Oilers perform with a Klefbom-Russell-Nurse-Benning top 4?
How do they do if Cam Talbot isn't quite as excellent or consistent?
Let's be real about it so the next one has a chance to be better.
The Oilers had three real defenseman and a top-3 or top-5 goaltender in the league, with almost perfect health and the best possible schedule. Adam Larsson breaks his hand and how do the Oilers perform with a Klefbom-Russell-Nurse-Benning top 4?
How do they do if Cam Talbot isn't quite as excellent or consistent?