So how does the Oilers compete for a Cup if they have to play all of Jones, Bear, Lagesson and Samorukov at the same time? Sorry but that's just not how the NHL works. This team is trying to compete, not to play a bunch of rookies at the same time.
Nurse-Bear
Jones-Bouchard
Lagesson-Samorukov
Is that your dream lineup? Is that what the Oilers should've gone into this season with? All so we can wait and see what we have (in players that have never been real blue-chip prospects mind you).
Organizations like Nashville have it down to a science.
There is absolutely an argument that this year your line up is better than lol Keith, Barrie, and Ceci.
And with good development every year that argument should get stronger and stronger.
Edit: It's embarrassing that Holland and yourself apparently think a defense core of Keith, Ceci, and Barrie with Smith and Koskinen can even remotely have the possibility of winning a cup. Most pundits have us at the bottom of the league for defense and goaltending and people think we have a cup contending team?
Edit 2
@Ementy : I always felt keeping Sekera as a vet presence for our young defense was a far better option than buying him out. I find it very funny the extent Holland has gone to bring that into the organization.
I fully expect Keith's contributions to regular season or playoffs for us to be so feeble bringing up stats like you have to be completely irrelevant to this or any conversation. Keith is done as an nhl top 4 defender period.
