TSN: Oilers Projected to Finish 5th in the Pacific Division

[402]

The NHL on TSN Preview show projects the oilers to finish 5th in the Pacific division

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Watch the 90 minute preview show here: http://video.tsn.ca/#?dl=main/latest/1/0/1013564/clip/579

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[OilerTyler]

Seems about right to me

 

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

Crossover seems like a possibility.

They should be better than Phoenix and Calgary.

I don't believe in Anaheim or Vancouver that much so they'll be pretty close to them too.

Also I think San Jose will trend down.

 

[guymez]

Seems about right. Somewhat better than Calgary...not sure about Phoenix though.
Smith is light years better than Soft goal per game Dubnyk....he could carry the Coyotes. Also like their defence better than the Oilers.

6th might be more realistic.

Playoffs are very unlikely.

 

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

Dubnyk had one less win and better GAA and sv% than Mike Smith.

 

[guymez]

Dubnyk had one less win and better GAA and sv% than Mike Smith.

GAA is a team stat and SV% can be a little misleading because Dubnyk gives up soft goals at crucial times.
Smith doesnt...he is a much more reliable goalie.

 

[MCDAVIDISH]

Agh another crap year on the horizon.

 

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

GAA is a team stat and SV% can be a little misleading because Dubnyk gives up soft goals at crucial times.
Smith doesnt...he is a much more reliable goalie.

He's a product of the system, much like Bryzgalov was.

Never mind the Coyotes as a whole gave up a whole three less goals than we did.

 

[guymez]

He's a product of the system, much like Bryzgalov was.

Never mind the Coyotes as a whole gave up a whole three less goals than we did.

Giving up soft goals has noting to do with a system.
It has to do with mental toughness. Thats an issue for Dubnyk.

Smith is a better, more reliable goalie.

 

[Moonlapse Vertigo]

TSN and Sportsnet never go out on a limb with anything. Every single comment and projection is predictable as hell. It's just an excuse for annoying toolbags like Johnson and Duthie to flap their gums on television.

 

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

Giving up soft goals has noting to do with a system.
It has to do with mental toughness. Thats an issue for Dubnyk.

If he's so mentally tough why is he smashing sticks at the drop of a hat?

 

[Moonlapse Vertigo]

I think that the equipment changes are going to affect Mike Smith's numbers and overall game. And I'm going to enjoy every second of it.

 

[guymez]

If he's so mentally tough why is he smashing sticks at the drop of a hat?

Posting youtube videos is rather pointless.

Smith has been a better, more reliable goalie...I have no idea why you are having so much trouble accepting that reality.

 

[Bank Shot]

He's a product of the system, much like Bryzgalov was.

Never mind the Coyotes as a whole gave up a whole three less goals than we did.

For what its worth, Smith looked better in the World Championships and was chosen as the starter over Dubnyk.

 

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

For what its worth, Smith looked better in the World Championships and was chosen as the starter over Dubnyk.

Annnnnd we finished 5th. Mike Smith lost to Jonas Enroth.

 

[KCC]

GAA is a team stat and SV% can be a little misleading because Dubnyk gives up soft goals at crucial times.
Smith doesnt...he is a much more reliable goalie.

So do goalies like Luongo, yet he's considered an "elite" goalie and he's not, despite what some people think. He had good D in front of him for years and when he gets hung out to dry, very rarely can hold the fort. I really do believe if Dubnyk was on a good team, he'd be near the top in quite a few categories. He's not the problem and he won't be this year. It's the weakness and center that is going to kill this team.

 

[McJadeddog]

5th in the division seems about right.... i would say 10th in the conference is what we should expect, maybe 9th, maybe 11th, but right around 10th seems accurate

 

[guymez]

For what its worth, Smith looked better in the World Championships and was chosen as the starter over Dubnyk.

Indeed. Given the opportunity to play either player (when the chips are down) NHL coaches know Smith is the more reliable goalie.

 

[Moonlapse Vertigo]

Honestly, as much as Dubnyk annoys me at times, he's probably the last player I think about when I think about the issues with this team.

 

[guymez]

So do goalies like Luongo, yet he's considered an "elite" goalie and he's not, despite what some people think. He had good D in front of him for years and when he gets hung out to dry, very rarely can hold the fort. I really do believe if Dubnyk was on a good team, he'd be near the top in quite a few categories. He's not the problem and he won't be this year. It's the weakness and center that is going to kill this team.

So if they were on the same team are you telling me that in a 7 game playoff series you would play Dubnyk ahead of Luongo?


Also...I never said that Dubnyk was the main problem with this team but he still has much to prove with his consistency issues.

 

[Moonlapse Vertigo]

Not that I consider the talented "whiz-kids" to be an issue.

 

[Wheathead]

We finish higher than Phoenix for sure.

I wish they would've moved to Quebec City though... So we wouldn't have to put up with their brand of hockey in the west.

 

[402]

TSN and Sportsnet never go out on a limb with anything. Every single comment and projection is predictable as hell. It's just an excuse for annoying toolbags like Johnson and Duthie to flap their gums on television.

Yes, i agree for the most part. These are all really safe predictions. And that's all they are just predictions. We can finish 5th and make the playoffs or we can finish 4th or even 3rd. There are so many possibilities especially this year. We just have to wait and see.
At this point i have to think we do make it into a playoff spot. That's my guess anyway.

 

[Spawn]

Giving up soft goals has noting to do with a system.
It has to do with mental toughness. Thats an issue for Dubnyk.

Smith is a better, more reliable goalie.

Smith's had one elite season on a team that has a proven track record of making mediocre goalies look elite. Otherwise has been a very mediocre goalie his entire career. More reliable? This is a guy that was on waivers 2 years ago because he couldn't cut it in the NHL.

One of the most overrated goaltenders in the NHL along with Carey Price.

Regardless, 5th seems about right, maybe slightly optimistic No chance IMO at catching San Jose, LA, or Vancouver. Ducks almost surely ahead of us. The Coyotes could be a toss up. They finished ahead of us last year and before that were a very strong team for 3 seasons. Only one we definitely should finish ahead of is the Flames...

 

[Paralyzer008]

I'd say LA, SJS, Vancouver are clearly ahead of Edmonton
Same for Chicago, St. Louis in the other division

Because of our injuries, Anaheim and Minny should easily be ahead of us.

SO we're fighting for that last spot. Phoenix has the best chances of anyone to pass us, Winnipeg isn't bad, Dallas and Colorado are true wildcards, basically anyone but Calgary