All the AHL callups in the world won’t make a difference if Smith/Koskinen don’t play Vezina caliber hockey.
Agreed. We are averaging 2 goals in our last 12. Calling up a couple guys won’t help that. If we had price playing prime price we would win a few more but we don’t unfortunately have that.All the AHL callups in the world won’t make a difference if Smith/Koskinen don’t play Vezina caliber hockey.
It ain't over yet folks... if this team is serious about AHL callups... (and they should be at this point)... there are hungry players down there capable of injecting this lineup with decent work ethic and skill.
Benson
Marody
Gambardella
Persson
Lagesson
Bouchard
Starrett
Yep I can already hear most saying... that's all inexperienced junk with no chance of positively impacting this Oiler lineup but I think just the opposite. There's definitely good 2-way players down there who will impact this roster positively and play well in the roles they are placed in on the Oilers roster.
Benson/Marody/Gambardella all are upgrades on Khaira/PRussell/Granlund.
Neal's minutes have to be reduced as well at evens because he's a negative unless he's a net front presence and on the PP.
Klefbom/Larsson have to have much reduced minuets as they aren't good enough to be playing the minutes they are.
Benning/Persson/Lagesson playing more balanced minutes on the pairings will definitely increase the defensive effectiveness of this team. Bouchard on the PP would be a revelation.
I honesty would run with 7 dmen on this roster because 12 good forwards are hard to find and I'd want to distribute the defensive minutes more evenly among 7 dmen and have players like Bouchard/Persson/Bear be PP point options... and have the PP units play with 2 dmen which is also easier to do with 7 dmen in the lineup.
Smith needs to do a stint in Bako and have Starrett come up and take over the backup duties. If Starrett fails... so be it.. then you know you have to look elsewhere, but he deserves a look and Smith deserves time down in Bako.
This season is definitely salvageable with the team just 4 pts out of top spot in the Pacific (and yes a weak Pacific this year does help).
Holland and Tippett have to make some hard moves and push more players through waivers as this current roster mix isn't optimal... but there's definitely a playoff team here if the correct personnel are put together. They simply just can't let it go down in a slow burn... bring up the fresh hungry Calvary to get this team back on track.
It ain't over yet folks... if this team is serious about AHL callups... (and they should be at this point)... there are hungry players down there capable of injecting this lineup with decent work ethic and skill.
Benson
Marody
Gambardella
Persson
Lagesson
Bouchard
Starrett
Yep I can already hear most saying... that's all inexperienced junk with no chance of positively impacting this Oiler lineup but I think just the opposite. There's definitely good 2-way players down there who will impact this roster positively and play well in the roles they are placed in on the Oilers roster.
Benson/Marody/Gambardella all are upgrades on Khaira/PRussell/Granlund.
Neal's minutes have to be reduced as well at evens because he's a negative unless he's a net front presence and on the PP.
Klefbom/Larsson have to have much reduced minuets as they aren't good enough to be playing the minutes they are.
Benning/Persson/Lagesson playing more balanced minutes on the pairings will definitely increase the defensive effectiveness of this team. Bouchard on the PP would be a revelation.
I honesty would run with 7 dmen on this roster because 12 good forwards are hard to find and I'd want to distribute the defensive minutes more evenly among 7 dmen and have players like Bouchard/Persson/Bear be PP point options... and have the PP units play with 2 dmen which is also easier to do with 7 dmen in the lineup.
Smith needs to do a stint in Bako and have Starrett come up and take over the backup duties. If Starrett fails... so be it.. then you know you have to look elsewhere, but he deserves a look and Smith deserves time down in Bako.
This season is definitely salvageable with the team just 4 pts out of top spot in the Pacific (and yes a weak Pacific this year does help).
Holland and Tippett have to make some hard moves and push more players through waivers as this current roster mix isn't optimal... but there's definitely a playoff team here if the correct personnel are put together. They simply just can't let it go down in a slow burn... bring up the fresh hungry Calvary to get this team back on track.
It ain't over yet folks... if this team is serious about AHL callups... (and they should be at this point)... there are hungry players down there capable of injecting this lineup with decent work ethic and skill.
Benson
Marody
Gambardella
Persson
Lagesson
Bouchard
Starrett
Yep I can already hear most saying... that's all inexperienced junk with no chance of positively impacting this Oiler lineup but I think just the opposite. There's definitely good 2-way players down there who will impact this roster positively and play well in the roles they are placed in on the Oilers roster.
Benson/Marody/Gambardella all are upgrades on Khaira/PRussell/Granlund.
Neal's minutes have to be reduced as well at evens because he's a negative unless he's a net front presence and on the PP.
Klefbom/Larsson have to have much reduced minuets as they aren't good enough to be playing the minutes they are.
Benning/Persson/Lagesson playing more balanced minutes on the pairings will definitely increase the defensive effectiveness of this team. Bouchard on the PP would be a revelation.
I honesty would run with 7 dmen on this roster because 12 good forwards are hard to find and I'd want to distribute the defensive minutes more evenly among 7 dmen and have players like Bouchard/Persson/Bear be PP point options... and have the PP units play with 2 dmen which is also easier to do with 7 dmen in the lineup.
Smith needs to do a stint in Bako and have Starrett come up and take over the backup duties. If Starrett fails... so be it.. then you know you have to look elsewhere, but he deserves a look and Smith deserves time down in Bako.
This season is definitely salvageable with the team just 4 pts out of top spot in the Pacific (and yes a weak Pacific this year does help).
Holland and Tippett have to make some hard moves and push more players through waivers as this current roster mix isn't optimal... but there's definitely a playoff team here if the correct personnel are put together. They simply just can't let it go down in a slow burn... bring up the fresh hungry Calvary to get this team back on track.
I think we make it. Every team hits a rough patch. Our Division is weak right now and we have 5 teams fighting for 3 spots.
I felt like that and this maybe true comparing to the last year. However, if they do not turn around quickly 70 pts Coulthard be possibilityI am absolutely not worried. This team is better, top to bottom.
You were right, calling up one guy was enoughAgreed. We are averaging 2 goals in our last 12. Calling up a couple guys won’t help that. If we had price playing prime price we would win a few more but we don’t unfortunately have that.
This team has really turned a corner! Let’s just hope it keeps up!You were right, calling up one guy was enough
I’m half expecting a playoff series against Hall and the Coyotes.It would be such an Oilers thing to happen if making the playoffs this season came down to how well Taylor Hall plays in Arizona. Ugh.
Woah, just checking out this thread. It's weird how before the new year @nexttothemoon wanted a bunch of guys called up, and not one of them was Kailer Yamamoto.
Maybe Neal is dangled. But IF they trade him, and probably eat salary, then Oilers have a lot of renetition from the Lucic/Neal saga.