News Article: Belanger thoughts on the oilers.

[McAsuno]

http://espn.go.com/blog/nhl/post/_/id/32426/young-talented-oilers-still-not-ready

As much as I disliked Belanger, thoughts on his comments regarding the oilers?

Click to read more...

 

[hyster110]

bang on,, we are still expecting young players to carry this team when they are not ready. this cycle will continue sadly until we let our players develop properly, and dont throw them into the fire

 

[joestevens29]

Same thing everyone else has been saying?

 

[McDoused]

Lol that's rich, a former "veteran" saying that youngsters are thrust into a leadership role too early. Maybe if our veterans actually did ther job, they wouldn't have to produce every night.

Good riddance.

 

[CantHaveTkachev]

hey Belanger....that's the reason they brought YOU in....to be a guy who can lead by example and show the kids the right way to prepare for the NHL...instead this guy mailed it in from day one and was a terrible teammate

this guy basically stole millions from the Oilers and should've been thankful he got that retirement contract

having said that, he's right...but anyone with half a brain can figure that out

 

[ohheyhemsky]

Lol that's rich, a former "veteran" saying that youngsters are thrust into a leadership role too early. Maybe if our veterans actually did ther job, they wouldn't have to produce every night.

Good riddance.

Both you and Belanger are correct.

 

[McDoused]

hey Belanger....that's the reason they brought YOU in....to be a guy who can lead by example and show the kids the right way to prepare for the NHL...instead this guy mailed it in from day one and was a terrible teammate

this guy basically stole millions from the Oilers and should've been thankful he got that retirement contract

having said that, he's right...but anyone with half a brain can figure that out

100% agree.

 

[joestevens29]

Why would people expect Belanger to lead as a vet? He was with how many teams before Edmonton? The only thing I could fault is the massive drop in his offense. Other than that he was the same player he always was.

The one thing I will add is this is a fail by ESPN. Who the hell goes there to read Canadian team news in the first place? And really this has been done already.

 

[Arpeggio]

Why would people expect Belanger to lead as a vet? He was with how many teams before Edmonton? The only thing I could fault is the massive drop in his offense. Other than that he was the same player he always was.

The one thing I will add is this is a fail by ESPN. Who the hell goes there to read Canadian team news in the first place? And really this has been done already.

Well yeah, that's the main thing. He was supposed to come in here and put up 35 points like he had the rest of his career. Instead he couldn't even handle playing third line minutes, and left the Oilers with one competent two-way center (Horcoff). If Belanger had been better, maybe Hopkins and Gagner don't have to play against the other team's top line every game.

 

[Gambl0r83*]

He sounds bu1thurt about something that may have happened during his stint here

Anyways, who cares what this has been thinks. He was a liability when he was here, let's not make him one when he's not even here

 

[joestevens29]

Well yeah, that's the main thing. He was supposed to come in here and put up 35 points like he had the rest of his career. Instead he couldn't even handle playing third line minutes, and left the Oilers with one competent two-way center (Horcoff). If Belanger had been better, maybe Hopkins and Gagner don't have to play against the other team's top line every game.

That really is the risk when acquiring an older guy who is best suited to be a 3rd liner.

 

[Morpheus]

I thought he would have crapped on the city, or management, nice to see some positive comments coming from somebody bought out by the oilers.

 

[FlameChampion]

His comments seem pretty accurate to me.

 

[Tarus]

He sounds bu1thurt about something that may have happened during his stint here

Anyways, who cares what this has been thinks. He was a liability when he was here, let's not make him one when he's not even here

There is nothing in that interview that suggests he has any sort of axe to grind

 

[Gambl0r83*]

There is nothing in that interview that suggests he has any sort of axe to grind

Well, he says players don't want to come to Edmonton, we have shaky goaltending, he's questioning our development process, and says that we won't make the playoffs
There is a touch of malice there

 

[CupofOil]

Well, he says players don't want to come to Edmonton, we have shaky goaltending, he's questioning our development process, and says that we won't make the playoffs
There is a touch of malice there

And which of those statements are false?
I know that Belanger underperformed in his time here but it seems like some posters have an axe to grind with him still.

 

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

More of the same.

We know we suck and we do things wrong, like bringing in pieces of garbage that say they can play NHL hockey when they really can't.

 

[McGhostbuster]

He's spot on.

Nothing new here. Thought he was actually more sour than that.

 

[Tarus]

Well, he says players don't want to come to Edmonton, we have shaky goaltending, he's questioning our development process, and says that we won't make the playoffs
There is a touch of malice there

As cupofoil points out, those are all accurate statements.

Even if you disagree, there is nothing malicious in his statements.

 

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

It's really great to see such stunning insight from a former player of the Oilers.

 

[Neatman]

He is absolutely spot on, but Im not really impressed with him verbalizing what everyone already knows about Oilers.

I would be more impressed if someone actually suggested a legitimate solution.

Yes, the Oilers badly need vets that can contribute throughout the line-up, including as top liners. Anyone know where they can get those players for free?

 

[Replacement*]

Well, he says players don't want to come to Edmonton, we have shaky goaltending, he's questioning our development process, and says that we won't make the playoffs
There is a touch of malice there

Theres a touch of reality there.

Theres nothing in Belangers comments that seem unfair, or inaccurate.

 

[Replacement*]

And which of those statements are false?
I know that Belanger underperformed in his time here but it seems like some posters have an axe to grind with him still.

Belanger wasn't used properly here either just like Gordon isn't now. This isn't a team that even values veterans to any degree. With Eakins wetting his pants at the prospect of playing guys like Hall and RNH 27mins night(overkill) theres not a lot of ES left after penalty kills and such. A guy like Gordon had multiple nights where he just wasn't getting big minutes. On a team that was getting scored on like crazy. Think about that.

sigh

 

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

Belanger wasn't used properly here either just like Gordon isn't now. This isn't a team that even values veterans to any degree. With Eakins wetting his pants at the prospect of playing guys like Hall and RNH 27mins night(overkill) theres not a lot of ES left after penalty kills and such. A guy like Gordon had multiple nights where he just wasn't getting big minutes. On a team that was getting scored on like crazy. Think about that.

sigh

If Belanger "wasn't used properly" then why did nobody ever pick him up again?

Belanger flat out sucked, regardless of the fact if he's correct or not.

 

[oilz89*]

Belanger wasn't used properly here either just like Gordon isn't now. This isn't a team that even values veterans to any degree. With Eakins wetting his pants at the prospect of playing guys like Hall and RNH 27mins night(overkill) theres not a lot of ES left after penalty kills and such. A guy like Gordon had multiple nights where he just wasn't getting big minutes. On a team that was getting scored on like crazy. Think about that.

sigh

Buddy seriously whenever you comment its always hatred against the oilers. Seriously why do you even post on this board? It's not like your even a fan