Saying that you pop into threads was a poor choice of words on my part. I know that you're not a drive by poster so apologies about that.
These guys aren't pulling their weight. They have actually been called out by Mclellan and even Chia on several occasions (not by name but pretty obvious that they were the ones being called out).
This team can't succeed for any sustained period if RNH and Eberle continue to not only get outscored severely but also out-possessioned severely pretty much every game. You could point to their point totals but for every goal they score, it seems like they give up 2 against. It's not nearly good enough for players who should be held to a higher standard, not nearly good enough.
But the thing is they've had success (in as much as anyone playing for the Oilers has had success) for more than a few years.
Its not like these are unknown commodities to the fan base, or they shouldn't be.
I'm concerned about the way the board will cheer these guys lustily for years. Hiss hiss, dat Schultz, etc etc and then just turn on them viciously after a stretch of weak performances. Its really low on the loyalty scale imo. I said it the other day. Since the (various) GM(s) have seen fit to bring in zero useful defencemen over the past decade,
and they lucked out on McDavid, its obvious one of Eberle /RNH is probably going to be/should be traded for a defenceman. I can recognize that fact without calling Eberle a pustule or RNH a little girl.
You mention a higher standard, and I get that for RNH because he's a first overall, but Eberle was the steal of his draft. I'd say he's performed at a level comparable to all the other first overall picks the Oilers have, and maybe better. What kind of standard do you expect from the guy? Six million standard? Yeah, he's paid more than I'd like, but we had nitwits running the show as you well know. Katz actually believed he could just draft first for a few years , pay the boys, build his rink and sit back and bask in the glow of Stanleys and an adoring public. I honestly believe that was as far as the plan went. I mean Katz is a businessman after all; how long does an "Oil Change" take? And to be fair, most of the board was in favor of those deals and even went so far as to say they would be a "steal".
I appreciate the shout back and the clarification. But RNH and Eberle would need to fall
a lot further before you'll see me turn on them. I'll try to respond to the most egregious hyperbole only, but honestly, even though I don't love Nuge, never did, I feel compelled to say something when people call him a bum. Point out, as Replacement does for example, that he's been on ice for an alarming number of GA, and nobody will take exception. But don't just call him a bum.
Hall is on another planet right now, one of the best in the league, all those people wanting him gone should be embarrassed. he's making everyone around him 2 times better.
No ****.
But some people (not all) magically forget when they spent five years trashing a player and act like nothing ever happened ... move on to the next target.
And call it "serious discussion" from atop their imaginary high horse.
