GDT: Game 2 // Oilers @ Bruins // Oct 11 @ 5 PM MST // TV: SNET

[Bryanbryoil]

McLellan strikes me as someone who couldn't give two squirts about some overstated "media blowback" from a line combination he tried during a practice. As stubborn as he is, he'll do what he'll do and will care little about what some bloggers say about it.

Todd has been a media darling here. Even last season when things were sideways he never got asked the tough questions. It seems that some people are coming to the realization that it's not just the GM that has left a lot to be desired. Anyone that watched preseason could see that Jesse is ready for a big step forward if given the opportunity.

 

[Aerrol]

I don’t think that.
Can’t deny that this board loves selectively calling out posters that were wrong though. If coach is as bad as people say then a lot of posters were very wrong about that hire.

Hey, guilty as charged there. Does that help?

 

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

Todd has been a media darling here. Even last season when things were sideways he never got asked the tough questions. It seems that some people are coming to the realization that it's not just the GM that has left a lot to be desired. Anyone that watched preseason could see that Jesse is ready for a big step forward if given the opportunity.

When has the GM been asked tough questions? The Edmonton media should form a softball club.

 

[KlefDown]

I sure hope the team comes to play tonight and win.

 

[nabob]

I don't know if I fall into the camp you describe here since I definitely think Chiarelli is a bigger problem than McLellan and also don't think this decision was media driven, but I don't see why it's such a crime to adjust your opinion on the coach as time goes on. I was very happy with McLellan's hiring and would now prefer to have him turfed/wanted him gone after last season.

To zero in on some specific coaching issues I have - do you disagree with any of the below?

1. The lines, particularly lines 2-4 (especially stapling Lucic to Draisaitl) make no sense.
2. The powerplay continues to be run incomprehensibly stupidly. WHY ARE WE STILL RUNNING 5 RIGHT SHOTS FROM THE WRONG HALF WALL ON PP1?
3. Puljujarvi seems to be one of the only players being held to a very high standard of accountability (I suspect you disagree here but I figure I should mention it)
4. The team seems to be coached to push more dump and coach and ring the puck up the boards, particularly the defence.
5. The team seemed to completely lack any sort of jump or hustle in game 1. (Arguable if this is coaching or not, IMO it is if this continues to be a problem over say, 5-10 games).

All five of those points were problems for 82 games last season. New assistants but the same donkey is pulling the cart. If anything the coaching strategy looks worse than last year. Coaches had all summer to review tape, evaluate and gameplan.

Looks like the game plan is whatever we saw in game 1, and then to demote Puljujarvi in practice.

 

[nabob]

I don’t think that.
Can’t deny that this board loves selectively calling out posters that were wrong though. If coach is as bad as people say then a lot of posters were very wrong about that hire.

The hypocrisy in this post is rich.

 

[koeltrain]

I sure hope the team comes to play tonight and win.

Unfortunately I see a Halak SO... Boston comes to play and I doubt the Oilers will be ready

 

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

All five of those points were problems for 82 games last season. New assistants but the same donkey is pulling the cart. If anything the coaching strategy looks worse than last year. Coaches had all summer to review tape, evaluate and gameplan.

Looks like the game plan is whatever we saw in game 1, and then to demote Puljujarvi in practice.

Almost like shuffling deck chairs on the McTitanic.

 

[killercookie]

Old enough to be your dad, probably. And who knows, maybe I am!

Cool story bud

 

[ohheyhemsky]

Cool story bud

How old are you?

Actually, who cares?

And there we are - no need to get all riled up over an obvious joke.

 

[CycloneSweep]

Jesus Christ. I'm betting the forward lines from yesterday were accurate lol

 

[Panda Bear]

In the mid- to late-2000s, all the cool kids wore flannel shirts, skinny jeans, high top shoes, and slouchy hats. The cool kids don't wear those anymore. Todd is a former cool kid who doesn't realize he's no longer cool.

In other words, his take on hockey in the NHL is out of date.

EDIT: Todd had one of the first man-buns, but he still has it.

 

[Mr Positive]

I like the pairings. Russell with Bouchard. Maybe I'd like to see Garrison get a crack.

Nurse and Benning was once great(edit: more like decent). Benning might step up, but our patience must be limited

 

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

In the mid- to late-2000s, all the cool kids wore flannel shirts, skinny jeans, high top shoes, and slouchy hats. The cool kids don't wear those anymore. Todd is a former cool kid who doesn't realize he's no longer cool.

In other words, his take on hockey in the NHL is out of date.

He's in good company on the Oilers.

 

[Mez]

Man, I hope we get some wins....this forum is almost unbearable.

 

[Jumptheshark]

I predict a bad night for the mods if we fall behind early

 

[Little Fury]

Cool story bud

Thanks son.

 

[Delicious Pancakes]

Thanks son.

 

[PBandJ]

5-2 Oilers. Hopefully the debacle in Sweden kicked them in the ass.

 

[dustrock]

I predict a bad night for the mods if we fall behind early

Feels like Eakins Year Two.

 

[Oilers in NS]

When has the GM been asked tough questions? The Edmonton media should form a softball club.

WKRP in Edmonton

 

[bucks_oil]

I just don't quite understand why you would mess around with lines in practice, after 1 game, and then go back to basically the same lineup? To screw with people? Send a message?

We talking about PRACTICE

 

[shoop]

If there was ever a must win second game of the season... this is it. Do it Oilers.

That is why there is never a must win in the second game of the season.

Oil will slay the Bruins tonight... McD be sleeping on a bearskin rug by the end of the night.

I have no idea what that means.

I suppose if you want to break down the season into fifteen blocks of five games and one block of seven games, they need at least six points out of each block of five games. This would give them 90 points and they would need 6-10 points out of the final block of seven games to make the playoffs, with 96-98 being a probable wildcard team and 100 plus a top 3 divisional team.

NJ- L
Bos-
NY R-
Wpg-
Bos-

Need to win three of the next four.

Three out of the next four ain't happening. It's early, no need to panic but facts is facts.

Best case they split with Boston and get the Rangers game.

 

[bucks_oil]

Cause why practice with the lines you want to play with? Just try it in game time when you have only played once this year, can't hurt right?

One would hope they've had more than one practice since their euro vacation, no?

 

[CupofOil]

Three out of the next four ain't happening. It's early, no need to panic but facts is facts.

That's not what fact means.