Watch this team go 7-3 in the next 10. You heard it here first.
Injury Report: McDavid out 2-3 weeks
- Thread starter AddyTheWrath
- Start date
Beerfish
Registered User
- Apr 14, 2007
- 19,513
- 5,665
Injuries happen. I'll be shocked if we do not totally plummet and fall out of the playoff race.
McJadeddog
Registered User
McDNicks17
Moderator
I would really like to see Holland show some faith in this group and bring in a top 6 forward immediately to help us stay afloat until Mcdavid gets back.
I understand waiting to see how the team does without Mcdavid, but I feel like he and Drai have earned some help with the playoff push at this point.
I understand waiting to see how the team does without Mcdavid, but I feel like he and Drai have earned some help with the playoff push at this point.
My one worry with splitting the centers is who you play them with. I'm guessing Yamamoto obviously on Drai's RW and probably Kassian on RNH's line but that left side? Eek. Gonna have to grind out some wins, get real greasy.
Holland might have to make a trade to fill out the wings, give them something to work with.
Oilers 322
Registered User
Lot of high expectations for Drai to carry the group. I hope he does it and silence the haters. However, I don’t even expect McDavid or MacKinnon to carry this lineup. The Oilers best bet is that the rest of the team step up in McDavids absence. Even if Drai were to go 1.5 PPG during this stretch, I’d only expect the team to be around .500.
Wretched Oil
Right out of 'er
- Feb 19, 2008
- 1,755
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Well no doubt, but through adversity comes strength. Only a fool would say this is a good thing.
This group relies on him too much, so learning how to play without him while in the middle of a playoff race will not only give the management insight, but will force the boys closer together
Stoneman89
Registered User
- Feb 8, 2008
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guymez
The Seldom Seen Kid
- Mar 3, 2004
- 33,147
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I hear you...its a shame that 2nd line has to change.
Holland has to make deal now....the bad thing about that is that is means that its a deal from a position of weakness.
The worst part about this is that all the other teams can just focus on Drai now. Unless RNH and Yam can keep up their production while potentially being away from drai. We could go from a 1 line team to a 1 man team depending on how they decide to change the lines.
Yeah but they can't let this season slip away.
If they lose the next couple of games, he might have to make a panic trade because that cushion they currently have will be a lot thinner.
I know it sounds weird but I'm actually intrigued to see how they handle this adversity. If they can maintain their hold on a playoff spot when McDavid returns, this could serve to make them stronger when they become whole.
CantHaveTkachev
Legends
Jesus Take the Wheel
Registered User
Drai has 23 points in 13 games since the beginning of January running his own line and people are in this thread talking about how he needs to go "Malkin mode" and carry this team this team to the playoffs like he hasn't been doing that already... Boy theres some unrealistic expectations on here
Bones2079
Registered User
Since We have all witnessed Connors super human recovery this summer. I bet he is probably back in a week
Konami McDavid
Registered User
Too slow. He needs to improve his skating.
I'd callup Ryan McLeod to see how he handles the NHL. He's got NHL wheels and his hands are pretty good and his IQ is great. He just DOES NOT SHOOT. He's butterfly compared to Nuge but he's a good puck distributor and fast and skilled.
Oilers 322
Registered User
Yup. People talking about Drai needing to elevate his play are in for a big disappointment. If he elevates his play anymore, he’ll really become the German Gretzky. We’ll be lucky if he keeps pace or even go 1.2+ PPG with other teams focusing on solely Drai.
I think the toughest part about this injury is that it puts Holland in to a holding pattern again. Hopefully the Oilers remain competitive (they might not win, but they need to be competitive in games) and Holland sees that as enough to pull the trigger.
Oilhawks
Oden's Ride Over Nordland
- Nov 24, 2011
- 26,438
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Wouldn’t have happened if the refs actually called interference, hooking and holding that happens on him. f*** this league. They get what they deserve.
Senor Catface
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- Jul 25, 2006
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The Oilers have 3 games in hand over the first team out of the playoffs.
They have wiggle room. Worst case scenario and we're still going to be in the picture.
GMofOilers
Registered User
tardigrade81
Registered User
Because RNH won't be on his wing in all likelihood. As good as Drai is, it's going to be hard to play at a top line level with a tweener on his left wing. Look at how much it's been handcuffing McDavid as of late. RNH was a key cog on that line.
