I'd Be Very Surprised if Edmonton Misses the Playoffs this year

[LeafFever]

I know the entire planet will disagree with me, but Edmonton with that talent won't miss the playoffs forever. That top 6 forwards they have are sick. I'd take them over any teams forwards.
I do think Talbot was a smart acquisition and is the real deal. The defense isn't a source of strength for the team, but on paper, it looks not bad.
Please proceed to tell me how crazy I am.

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[BrannigansLaw]

Said no one ever.

 

[GTislanders]

Lol, that defense is about as bad as it gets. Forward group a mix match of pegs in square holes. No chance they can beat out sharks, kings, ducks, for a spot in the playoffs.

 

[East Coast Icestyle]

Pretty sure you guys say this every year.

 

[LeafFever]

Pretty sure you guys say this every year.

I'm a Leaf fan.

 

[LeafFever]

Lol, that defense is about as bad as it gets. Forward group a mix match of pegs in square holes. No chance they can beat out sharks, kings, ducks, for a spot in the playoffs.

Do not agree.
Kings and Ducks take a step back imo. Neither has more overall talent than the Oilers. The Ducks added no one except the worst possession coach in the NHL. I think the Ducks had the worst offseason of any team.

 

[Mathew Barzal]

The Oiler's problem is that they always have a terrible youth-vet ratio. It's almost impossible for the coaches to focus on giving every single youth the guidance they need when they're constantly icing entire lines consisting of players under 25.

It doesn't matter which generational phenom they have if there isn't a proper support system for them.

 

[WilliamNylander]

I'll be surprised if they're not bottom 5.

I think they got worse this off season.

 

[LeafFever]

The Oiler's problem is that they always have a terrible youth-vet ratio. It's almost impossible for the coaches to focus on giving every single youth the guidance they need when they're constantly icing entire lines consisting of players under 25.

It doesn't matter which generational phenom they have if there isn't a proper support system for them.

People always say this. The biggest issue for years isn't anything to do with vets. They had terrible coaching, terrible management, and could not draft after the first round if their life depended on it. Vets are way down the list.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Anaheim
Chicago
LA
San Jose
St. Louis
Nashville
Dallas
Minnesota/Calgary

So which team(s) is/are the Oilers finishing ahead of?

 

[GTislanders]

Do not agree.
Kings and Ducks take a step back imo. Neither has more overall talent than the Oilers. The Ducks added no one except the worst possession coach in the NHL. I think the Ducks had the worst offseason of any team.

Im not sure what this has to do with anything? Adam larsson is borderline terrible, at times, and the oilers have no structure or enough winning experience. Talbot and larsson as the two cornerstones on the backend is literally sad and just unfair for both players.

 

[LeafFever]

I'll be surprised if they're not bottom 5.

I think they got worse this off season.

Not the biggest fan of the Hall trade, but if any team can give up a Taylor Hall for defensive help it is Edmonton. They are stacked upfront.

 

[Mathew Barzal]

People always say this. The biggest issue for years isn't anything to do with vets. They had terrible coaching, terrible management, and could not draft after the first round if their life depended on it. Vets are way down the list.

If you say so!

 

[McFlyingV]

Lol, that defense is about as bad as it gets. Forward group a mix match of pegs in square holes. No chance they can beat out sharks, kings, ducks, for a spot in the playoffs.

Not saying that I fully expect playoffs, but the bolded is somewhat puzzling. Not sure how you figure that with how much more balanced the top 9 is compared to what it once was. There's 5 guys over 6'2 in the top 9, with a ton of skill, speed and quality centre depth, and of course, there's a McDavid.

 

[LeafFever]

Im not sure what this has to do with anything? Adam larsson is borderline terrible, at times, and the oilers have no structure or enough winning experience. Talbot and larsson as the two cornerstones on the backend is literally sad and just unfair for both players.

Understand Larrson argument, but Talbot? You do not need a top 5 stud goalie to win in the NHl. It was a smart pickup.

 

[LeafFever]

If you say so!

That's what I see.

 

[GTislanders]

Not the biggest fan of the Hall trade, but if any team can give up a Taylor Hall for defensive help it is Edmonton. They are stacked upfront.

And wheres the defensive help? Have you ever watched adam play? Hes not a help. Hes a mess. Chiarelli is banking on his potential. So for right now, based on what adam does currently, the oilers are in big trouble. Again.

 

[GTislanders]

Not saying that I fully expect playoffs, but the bolded is somewhat puzzling. Not sure how you figure that with how much more balanced the top 9 is compared to what it once was. There's 5 guys over 6'2 in the top 9, with a ton of skill, speed and quality centre depth, and of course, there's a McDavid.

Size has no correlation with winning. What the hell? McDavid is nice and all, but he continues to play as reckless as he does and hes going to go the lindros route.

 

[LeafFever]

Anaheim
Chicago
LA
San Jose
St. Louis
Nashville
Dallas
Minnesota/Calgary

So which team(s) is/are the Oilers finishing ahead of?

Dallas, Minnesota and Calgary.

People always do this every year. They predict the same 8 teams to make the playoffs in every conference. That rarely ever occurs.

 

[LeafFever]

Size has no correlation with winning. What the hell?

Talent sure does. That top 6 of Edmonton is loaded with great skill.

 

[LeafFever]

And wheres the defensive help? Have you ever watched adam play? Hes not a help. Hes a mess. Chiarelli is banking on his potential. So for right now, based on what adam does currently, the oilers are in big trouble. Again.

Edmonton has a young group of D which will be better.

 

[GTislanders]

Talent sure does. That top 6 of Edmonton is loaded with great skill.

All of whom who have done nothing but lose at the NHL level. Lose lose and lose. For how many years and counting? Having great skill is half the battle.

 

[LeafFever]

All of whom who have done nothing but lose at the NHL level. Lose lose and lose. For how many years and counting? Having great skill is half the battle.

So you think they'll never make the playoffs? There's no chance of that with the talent on that team.

 

[Baby Ryan]

Talent sure does. That top 6 of Edmonton is loaded with great skill.

So you think they'll never make the playoffs? There's no chance of that with the talent on that team.

Sure. They have great talent no doubt, even before this year with the old forward group.

It was/is only a part of what they need to be a competitive team.

Talent alone doesn't make you a playoff team. Especially with a defense that lacks a #1 D or enough depth when pit against other Pacific playoff-bound teams.

 

[GTislanders]

So you think they'll never make the playoffs? There's no chance of that with the talent on that team.

I think theres a very real ( and sad ) possibilty that they dont make the playoffs for the next little while. Team is moribound.