Pre-Game Talk: Oilers VS Jets -Oiler fly home for 48 hours

[Frank the Tank]

Sadly someone did predict this. I thought it was likely sarcasm based on how stupid our coach is. Guess the coach is more clueless that I could have imagined.

I can understand the reasoning from the perspective of getting a look at Bouchard beyond the Oilers 9th game; however, there has to be a reasonable replacement on RHD when he sits, and Benning has not proven to be that.

 

[nabob]

Not that it's any less stupid, but at least Benning is on the third pairing where he belongs.

He’ll still manange to get close to 20 minutes.

 

[PinSeeker]

Hate that Bouchard is out. I get that we really do need Benning to turn it around, and not playing does not help that, but it should not be at the expense of Bouchard.

 

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

Khaira has been pretty quiet this year. Not really doing much in bottomsix but then again Pulju isn't either. Of course either would look a lot better with Drai as Center but of the bottomsix Rieder has earned some time with Drai.

What, you don't have any faith in Ryan Strome?

 

[nabob]

Khaira has been pretty quiet this year. Not really doing much in bottomsix but then again Pulju isn't either. Of course either would look a lot better with Drai as Center but of the bottomsix Rieder has earned some time with Drai.

Now Drai just needs to earn some time with better players

Khaira has been doing his thing, the biggest issues is that both our bottom 6 centers have been complete non factors.

 

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

He’ll still manange to get close to 20 minutes.

A person could earn a good chunk of coin by betting on the dumbest things the Oilers could do.

Maybe throw Benning on the first power play unit.

 

[nabob]

A person could earn a good chunk of coin by betting on the dumbest things the Oilers could do.

Maybe throw Benning on the first power play unit.

But then they’d have to change every other player on the top unit to being right handed as well.

 

[Drivesaitl]

My only hope is that Bouchard is banged up or bagged from traveling around the world in the last 7 days. Throw Benning in there to give him a rest and then leave him in once he is recovered. Only rationale thing I can think of.

Decision probably not based in rationality though.

I won't do this often, but Bouchard is 18, and a D, invariably it makes sense to bring these in slowly and not overwhelm them. The last thing the Oilers should be doing is forcefeeding an 18yr old Bouchard into the lineup. Sure he's good, sure he's better than Benning, but sure his development would probably be helped by not being up here at all. It seems we've entered into that area again as fans where we are prepared to accept hindering development of a good prospect to want the player in the show, right now.

The past narrative is that this is what bad orgs do.

 

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

But then they’d have to change every other player on the top unit to being right handed as well.

Now you're getting the hang of it.

 

[Drivesaitl]

What, you don't have any faith in Ryan Strome?

Him and an eggroll are worth 1 dollar.

 

[Drivesaitl]

Sadly we will play some more dump and chase hockey and play right into the Jets gameplan.

Yep. With the Jets its the one thing you can't do exclusively. Have to mix it up so they don't know. Hellbuck is effective with the puck. usually dumping it in is just watching him play it quickly to a D. Before you even arrive.

 

[Hemsky4pm2]

Need to see the D without Bouchard as it could be the way it looks in a couple of weeks. I think the plan is to return Bouchard, call up Bear and have Gravel and Jones as the first call up options.

 

[joestevens29]

Good idea putting the pylon back in.

Based off an optional skate? What the f*** does that even mean. Such a useless tweet

 

[NeverForget06]

I won't do this often, but Bouchard is 18, and a D, invariably it makes sense to bring these in slowly and not overwhelm them. The last thing the Oilers should be doing is forcefeeding an 18yr old Bouchard into the lineup. Sure he's good, sure he's better than Benning, but sure his development would probably be helped by not being up here at all. It seems we've entered into that area again as fans where we are prepared to accept hindering development of a good prospect to want the player in the show, right now.

The past narrative is that this is what bad orgs do.

You're right. I guess my judgement is clouded by my anxiety related to Benning playing against a high powered offence.

 

[Drivesaitl]

You're right. I guess my judgement is clouded by my anxiety related to Benning playing against a high powered offence.

We should be bringing up Gravel, who is NHL ready and in prime, or dressing Garrison. Not benning, all day not benning..

 

[Little Fury]

The funny thing is LD is a point per game, RNH and Lucic are on pace for 50 points. How much more production is reasonable to expect out of those three? I don't disagree that at times some guys aren't looking good, bu those 3 are still producing the way you'd want.

Points don't tell the story. They aren't getting anything done without 97.

 

[Drivesaitl]

Based off an optional skate? What the **** does that even mean. Such a useless tweet

It means another slow news day and Stauffer trying to be relevant.

lets see, lets make game day assertions about what the lineup will be based on an OPTIONAL skate. hmmmm

Such a useless twit

 

[joestevens29]

Points don't tell the story. They aren't getting anything done without 97.

They are still finding a way to put them up. They need to be better, but the guy has 3 points in 3 games. The fact that only 5 forwards have points is more alarming right now

 

[CycloneSweep]

If Bouchard is out for Benning we are going to allow at least 2 more goals. Probably a 6-2 loss?

 

[Little Fury]

They are still finding a way to put them up. They need to be better, but the guy has 3 points in 3 games.

The way is by playing with McDavid. They can't piss adrop without him

The fact that only 5 forwards have points is more alarming right now.

6 players total. And every single one has been with McDavid. So yeah, we need to see something from our $15M second line.

 

[PinSeeker]

If Bouchard is out for Benning we are going to allow at least 2 more goals. Probably a 6-2 loss?

If Benning is third pair it is tolerable. Must be going Nurse and Russell again on 2nd pair, which I liked.
It is an indictment on Chia that the only two RH options are a 7/8 in Benning and a raw 18 yr old.

 

[CupofOil]

The funny thing is LD is a point per game, RNH and Lucic are on pace for 50 points. How much more production is reasonable to expect out of those three? I don't disagree that at times some guys aren't looking good, bu those 3 are still producing the way you'd want.

TM wasn't wrong when he said our bottom 6 need to be better, but at some point that also should include Rattie and KY who are next in ice-time with only 1 point combined.

Klef as well needs to be better. The guy has one less missed shot than he does on net.

If we're being honest, every single player outside of McDavid needs to be better.

I can't think of one player outside of Talbot last game that has performed up to par or at the most a select few, I'd say Rieder and Russell have come as advertised, Lucic compared to last seasons' abomination has been passable as well. Everybody else needs to pick up their play so I don't get why certain players get targeted outside of the fact that they make more than others.

TMac has a habit of laying the blame with a certain group of players while absolving others of blame. In this case, the entire team has been sluggish outside of a few exceptions. If the supporting cast doesn't improve and soon, this season could be over before it begins.

 

[BoldNewLettuce]

Theres multiple reasons not to trade for benning but one wouod be that you can get him free off of waivers in one month.

 

[rboomercat90]

The problem with going to the AHL is that they barely play this month.

They only have 3 games between now and the 31st.

What a stupid schedule.

 

[BoldNewLettuce]

Theres multiple reasons not to trade for benning but one wouod be that you can get him free off of waivers in one month.

Dude....dont be THAT guy....